The Camas County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday in favor of three applications by Ix-Nay Investment Trust that would facilitate the development of a private airport with an 8,500 foot runway near Fairfield.
“The process was fair and equitable,” said P&Z Chair Jerry Nelson. “Camas County has been in decline since the 1960s. The benefit for the county will be better than what 1,600 acres of marginal agricultural land can provide.”
The P&Z Commission approved a conditional use permit for the Soldier Field Airport, which is a final decision. They also recommended to the Camas County Board of Commissioners a change to the comprehensive plan map, and a rezone of 300 acres to AG-80, which would make the airport feasible.
“These two recommendations must be approved by the county commission or the approved conditional use permit is null and void,” Nelson said.
Nelson and fellow P&Z Commissioners Chuck Baldwin and Ron Chapman voted in favor of the three applications. P&Z Commissioner Jeff Kreyssig voted against all three applications.
According to the submitted master plan, Soldier Field Airport would be designed and built to accommodate small aircraft as well as “very large general aviation aircraft” including the Boeing 737-800. The plan states that in the third year of operation, the airport could see about 1,500 landings or takeoffs on an airstrip 8,500 feet long and 150 feet wide.
A public hearing on the airport before the P&Z Commission on Sept. 22 drew about 80 people, a “record attendance,” Nelson said. Some complained then about the impacts the airport would have on the quality of life at Camas Prairie, while others said it would increase economic development.
Nelson said public comment seemed mostly split between long time residents of Camas County and newcomers.
“Quality of life, that is in the eyes of the beholder and I don’t know how to respond to that,” Nelson said. “Many who oppose the airport are relative newcomers to the prairie and work in the Wood River Valley. They only sleep here. If you make your living on agriculture and have for many years, the proposed airport would have little effect on your quality of life.”
Camas County has been responding to an airport application on the proposed site since 2016 with changes to the comprehensive plan and now has a procedure in place that requires plans and a conditional use permit.
“Before that people could just go out and set up an airport,” Nelson said.
The recommendations will go before the Camas County Commission at a date uncertain for final approval, perhaps in late October or November, said Planning and Zoning Administrator Dwight Butlin.
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Nelson said. “Many who oppose the airport are relative newcomers to the prairie and work in the Wood River Valley. They only sleep here." The developers and people who will use this eyesore do not even sleep here, that is why they want their airport here. Duh!!!!
Yeah get the planes out of Hailey, I like my sleep not hearing all those planes, send all the planes to Fairfield where only farmers Live, they don’t mind the sounds
I don't understand what value this is supposedly going to provide to the local region.
The "lack of a private airport" is not what's holding back Camas Co.
Rich people have been driving through it for decades and have never wanted to stop and do much beyond a restroom break.
A private jet strip is somehow supposed to be a "boon" to the local economy?
I thought weed was illegal in Idaho, but clearly somebody is smoking some.
What am I missing here?
Are we supposed to be excited about a couple jobs helping to de-ice a 737 Business Jet?
Two new positions for "lavatory cleaner"?
Maybe a private maintenance guy on call in case something happens when a jet is there (their maintenance will normally take place at larger facilities across the country)
Is the only argument that "this is better than farm land"?
JH, your comments have been voiced and ignored by the locals. They have been brainwashed into thinking there is a pot of gold at the end of that runway. The developer claims it will start an “economic boom” but did not provide an economic impact statement. Fairfield will not see a dime.
It will bring thousands of local sustainable jobs to the area in the long-term have no impact on the land or ground water , also look who just bought the local ski resort, soldier mountain.... 🤫🤫
Way better then farm land , this airport will bring thousands of jobs to the area and have no impact on the land or ground water, it will create zero air pollution , it will also increase your taxes a lot but don’t worry about that because everyone will have so many jobs they can pay them again 😉
What this article failed to mention is the CUP asked for very little restrictions. The investors behind the project had no intention to pony up anything, fire equipment, safety precautions, road maintenance assistance, nothing. Total carpetbagging.
Your taxes hard at work 🤫
Block me ?
Hurray hurray best news I have heard in a long time. I am envisioning a golf course and water world in place of Friedman. Get those airplanes out of here.
🤫🤫good jobs for locals ,” According to the submitted master plan, Soldier Field Airport would be designed and built to accommodate small aircraft as well as “very large general aviation aircraft” including the Boeing 737-800. The plan states that in the third year of operation, the airport could see about 1,500 landings or takeoffs on an airstrip 8,500 feet long and 150 feet wide.”
Good now I have somewhere in the middle of nowhere to park my 747 😁 also hope the local farmers can handle the taxes when we start building subdivision out here , your looking at the next lax for the private air industry, also happy no one will notice late flights in and out we like landing at 3 am less wind😉
Cinn-a-Bon and Jack in the Box - Coming Soon- Wahoo !!!!
OK It's finally dawned on me... A remote private airport...perfect locations to run drugs into the US from Mexico and Canada. [innocent]
Maybe. But with very visible comings & goings if someone wants to watch for that.
Thinking FMA Authority has the jitters. Also thinking land values will escalate in Camas County. Some good there, some bad, depending upon your view. Probably going to be some activity on rezoning certain areas for residential areas, for 'summer homes'...because few 'outsiders' will want to spend a winter there!
It would be interesting to know - but we'll probably not know because it's private - how many of those 737s or others get diverted elsewhere due to fog/wind.
That comment was made at the hearings but the developer ridiculed the speaker.
Someone knew this was coming and just bought up multiple huge lots in Fairfield
Why not do some research and see who owns the land near this proposed new airport? Any state or local elected officials? Or, former elected officials?? Family or close friends?
Hmmmmmmmm . . . .
Good idea O.S. check out major land owners in Willow Creek canyon you will get some quick answers.
Steve Miller. He and Toone have signed agreements to allow an easement on their properties.$$$$$
Interesting. Steve Miller is no longer a politician. Toone is, however. Now it's clear why the District 26 ladies have been silent on this.
insertfoot if you think that Steve Miller is no longer a politician then you must think zebras can change their stripes, he will have his foot in this again. Once these politicians taste power they do not let go.
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