A controversial plan to overhaul the main runway at the Lake Elmo Airport will be discussed Monday at a Metropolitan Airports Commission committee meeting.
MAC officials are considering a compromise plan to relocate and extend the 2,850-foot northwest/southeast runway to 3,500 feet -- 100 feet shorter than the preferred alternative proposed this summer.
In addition, the commission has proposed less drastic changes to 30th Street North.
Instead of realigning the road around the south end of the new runway on airport land, as originally proposed, the street could connect back to the existing Neal Avenue intersection.
Airport planners will recommend that the MAC planning, development and environment committee replace the original preferred alternative with the "scaled-back or refined proposal," commission spokesman Neil Ralston said.
That alternative then would be considered by the Metropolitan Airport Commission on Dec. 21, Ralston said.
If the committee and the MAC agree, the report would be updated with the alternative and an opportunity for public comment would be scheduled, most likely beginning in January, he said.
The proposal then would return to the planning, development and environment commission and the full MAC in March, Ralston said.
The Metropolitan Council regional planning agency could consider the plan for final approval in early April, he said.
If approved, the $11.5 million project would be funded by "users of the aviation system via Federal Aviation Administration and/or Minnesota Department of Transportation grant programs and internal MAC funds," Ralston said.
No local sales or property taxes would be used to fund improvements, he said.
Dave Schultz, a supervisor for West Lakeland Township, said he expects residents to attend the meetings to voice opposition to the plan.
"The alternative plan that they have come up with doesn't meet the needs of the residents," he said. "Homes near the airport will still be impacted by takeoffs and landings."
MAC officials say the runway work would improve the airport's safety and allow for use by a wider range of propeller-driven aircraft. Opponents are concerned about noise and the possibility that a longer runway would open the door to larger planes operating there.
IF YOU GO
The Metropolitan Airports Commission's planning, development and environment committee will discuss the compromise plan for the Lake Elmo Airport at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the commission chambers at Terminal 1 of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Source: http://www.twincities.com
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