Minutes - Council - 05/19/1981 - Special Airport Study

Home

Approximately one year ago the second phase looking into alternative sites were completed with more ground space availability. Two sites were considered: 1. North of Highway 10 between Co. Rd. 56 and Co. Rd. 83. and 2. General Mills property in the SW corner of Ramsey. Basic findings of the first site were inadequate ground space available without serious encroachment and no future development. Basic findings of the second site were it provides better utilization and had adequate ground space. As a result the General Mills site was best recommended as a potential site. Mr. Johnson then discussed the requirements for a stage 2 airport including the following requirements: Runway must be 3300' on each end and provide airspace and landspace zonings, a clear zone beyond the runway of approximately 2,000' also the approach zones, zone a, zone b and a wind coverage of 95% or greater. Mayor Gamec asked citizens for their input at this time. Roger Buchanan, 15230 Kangaroo Street, came before the Council and stated the citizens were going to submit a petition to stop any action on an airport. He stated 95% of %he people asked to sign the petition did and only one person her household were permitted to sign it. The consensus of this petition is the citizens of the City of Ramsey simply do not want the airport for the following reasons: 1. Taxes. Possibility of no other funding besides taxpayers is very real at this time. The citizens fear the expense of this project. 2. The main reason for the airport would be to attract industry. Many citizens moved out here to get away from the crowded city. Citizens want growth in an orderly fashion and we are not ready for an airport. 3. Other people simply don't want an airport because of the possible crashes and accidents that do happen. 4. He feels that the airport is a misplaced priority. We don't want a fire department and Anoka is too far away for adequate fire protection to help if an airplane were to burn. 5. Would rather see more police protection if we have to spend more money. 6. Suggest a wild life refuge on the General Mills property. 7. See if General Mills would use this land instead of the City of Ramsey buying it from them, encourage General Mills to develop the property. 8. The direction of the Council and the citizens in Ramsey is opposite. The Council is progressive and the citizens want "Country" in the City of Ramsey. He stated he feels strongly about this and if a petition is brought before the Council, the citizens are asking the City of Ramsey for a committment to stop all airport action. He was told the City of Ramsey can listen all they want and not take into consideration the feelings of the citizens. He stated a petition was also circulated and signed to petition General Mills with the opposition of the citizens to the airport proposed however this petition would be held if the Council would make a committment at this time. Gregroy T. Smith, 15250 Iguana Street, came before the Council and asked Jim Johnson, the consultant on this project who highly recommended the airport where he lived. Mr. Johnson stated he resides in Coon Rapids. lir. Smith also stated an "encroachment" would effect 500 to 600 homes and would encroach his area and peace of mind. AIRPORT IIEETING May 19, 1981 2