Wednesday, April 7, 2004

SV Aviation to move to airport’s west side

Executive terminal, hanger plans check out

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Sun Valley Aviation is planning to break ground this month on a new executive terminal and a jet hanger on the west side of Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey.

A public hearing on the design for the buildings before the Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, April 5, met with favorable support both from neighbors and the commission.

Mike Rasch, general manager for the charter aircraft company, said plans to move the base of operations off the east side of the airport have been in the works for over a decade.

The commission continued the hearing until April 19 to give the developer time to make architectural and landscape changes to the project.

The main reason to move the operator is to conform to FAA regulations that require the terminal and any aircraft hangers to be farther from the runway.

Entrance onto Highway 75 from the current location is also a difficult proposition when there is traffic, Rasch said.

The commission asked that the architect for the project make some adjustments to the 45-foot high hanger to reduce the visual impact of the structure as seen from the east.

The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority approved Sun Valley Aviation’s plans for the buildings at a meeting held March 2.

Commissioner Eddy Svidgal recommended that the architect try to downsize the apparent size and scale of the hanger.

"Our community is sensitive about appearances and amenities," said Commissioner John Seiller. "Even though the airport may not be in Hailey forever, it is in Hailey right now."

Svidgal said despite the constructive criticism the commission is excited to see the project go forward.

Representatives for the charter aircraft company were willing to make adjustments in time for the April 19 hearing.

The company will incorporate translucent panels in the upper portion of the hanger to improve the design and let natural light into the hanger.

The hanger is also situated such that the terminal is on the east side of the hanger, blocking much of the hanger from view.

The terminal is a more attractive post and beam structure with a covered entry for cars and roofs that shed snow east and west.

Living just east of Broadford Road, neighbor Ole Skinner spoke in favor of the project but recommended that any lighting conform to the Hailey lighting ordinance and only shine down on airport property.

Airport manager Rick Baird said the airport would conform to the lighting ordinance and also recommended that Sun Valley Aviation’s landscaping plan be amended to preclude planting deciduous trees whose leaves can cause problems for aircraft operations.

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