Land Near Island Airport Was Already Zoned Residential
To the Editor:

The April 17 edition of The St. Ignace News referred to the recent acquisition of property near the Mackinac Island airport in the article, "Park Commission Acquires Unbuildable Lots Near Airport." The article says that the Mackinac Island State Park Commission (MISPC) "failed to warn the city and private developers that some of the property past the end of the runway, on the side of the bluff, was in a flight safety zone and could not be built on." This does not accurately reflect the full set of surrounding circumstances.

At issue is the Michigan Aeronautics Commission's Approach Protection Plan. The plan was received by MISPC staff in September 2002 well after the property had been zoned "residential" by the City. Any delay in filing the plan with the City had no impact on the development of the three lots at issue and indeed no building has occurred on these lots. Neither the Airport Approach Plan nor the statute that created it contains the authority to reverse or change the existing zoning. Rather, the plan was created to provide guidance to municipalities for future planning to ensure that additional land development would not negatively impact airport safety issues. Because of the pre-existing zoning, land developers had every right to plot and sell lots on their property. It should also be noted that those persons who purchased the lots in question knew at the time that they were purchasing in very close proximity to the airport runway and take off areas.

It was not until the final size of the Runway Protection Zone was confirmed by Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics (BOA) officials (August 2006) and located on the ground by a survey conducted under the direction of URS, Corporation engineers (May 2007) that any properties could be identified as "unbuildable." Landowners were immediately notified. Since that time the MISPC has worked diligently, following the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) land acquisition process, to properly appraise and purchase the properties.

The purchase prices have generously compensated the landowners for their lots. In the case of lot 8, Forest Brook, the final purchase price represents a 107% increase from the landowners's purchase price five years ago. In the case of lot 6, Forest Brook, the landowner realized a 42% profit over the 2004 purchase price. It is important to note that the MISPC purchased these properties with a grant from Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics made specifically for airport-related land acquisition. No general fund or operating money of the State Park Commission was used.

Across the state and country, airports are facing similar situations where land development is occurring. At the same time the FAA/BOA is doing a better job of identifying airport safety zones. As with other airports, the MISPC is working to resolve these conflicting situations in a way that puts a priority on public safety in and around the Mackinac Island airport.

Phil Porter, director Mackinac State Historic Parks