City Of Frederick, MD Considering 'Mixed Use' Development Near Frederick County Airport

After a housing developer asked the city of Frederick, MD to rezone land near the Frederick County airport from "Light Industrial" to "Mixed Use" ... AOPA president and CEO Mark Baker saw the potential for in influx of residents who could potentially complain about noise from the airport AOPA calls home.

Accordingly, Baker sent a letter to to Frederick Mayor Randy McClement stating the association's opposition to the rezoning.

In his letter, Baker points out that the Frederick Airport Commission recommended that the rezoning be opposed. He said that if there is a tie vote on the Board of Aldermen, he hoped that the Mayor would cast the tiebreaking vote in opposition to the rezoning.

"There are many unfortunate examples of airports that were permanently closed because incompatible land use was allowed to propagate in areas surrounding the airport. It is up to the City to prevent incompatible land use through appropriate zoning and enforcement," Baker wrote. "The proposed development would place residential housing directly beneath the flight paths of arriving and departing aircraft. Helicopter traffic is especially common, at low altitudes, directly above the ... property. Although those residing in the development would be made aware of the airport in advance, the City should expect complaints from the residents over aircraft noise and safety concerns. Such complaints can eventually lead to broad anti-airport sentiment and political action to close the airport," Baker wrote.

Baker said that as the city continues to grow, the airport will become a more valuable resource, and the current airport expansion plan calls for a runway extension to 6,000 feet to accommodate larger aircraft. "AOPA encourages the city to recognize the airport as an economic engine worth protecting," Baker wrote.

FMI: Full Letter