Moss/City AirportFebruary 1, 2010
Kalispell City Council
RE: Kalispell City Airport
I have provided you this letter to show my support for the continuing
operations of the Kalispell City Airport. In addition I also would like
to voice my support for the implementation of the proposed safety
measures including the extension and realignment of the runway.
I have reviewed the information that has been made available to the
public as a result of the recent debates surrounding this issue
including the televised meetings of the City Council.
Although I feel that most of the issues raised by the opponents to the
airport have been adequately addressed, I will offer these thoughts
after considering the concerns raised by those challenging the
renovation of the airport.
I find it surprising that the residents that live in close proximity to
the airport have expressed concerns with both the noise and safety of
the aircraft utilizing the airport. I am confident that most of the
individuals that reside in the area either purchased or built or
purchased their homes after the establishment of the airport in 1929.
Therefore, they were aware of the potential noise issues and safety
concerns at the time they chose to reside next to the airport.
Many individuals have expressed that the property should be utilized in
some other fashion even suggesting a ferris wheel. It seems that an
important step in this process would be to have an appraisal of the real
estate that makes up the city airport and the proposed expansion area.
As part of any appraisal process, the appraiser is entrusted to
determine the “highest and best” use for the property. My assumption is
that, based on the physical location of the property and in light of
current and anticipated economic conditions, the current use of the
property is already being utilized as it should be. In addition, this
would cause the displacement of businesses currently located at the City
Airport and the surrounding businesses that benefit from the traffic
generated by the operations of the airport.
My final point is that I have heard numerous individuals suggest that
the operations of the City airport should be relocated to Glacier Park
International airport. I would like to ask if anybody has spoken to
those that control the operations of GPI? Does that airport have the
capability to handle the additional aircraft traffic, storage and
servicing that is currently handled at the City Airport. Do they have
hangar space available at a similar rate for the business that will be
displaced by the closure of the airport? Do they have facilities for an
additional flight training facility that will need to be relocated?
As a resident of Kalispell and a private pilot that had the privilege of
learning how to fly with Red Eagle Aviation, I completely disagree with
the closure of and/or the relocation of the city airport. I am in
complete support of the realignment of the runway and the proposed
improved safety measures.
I thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this letter of
support of the City Airport.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Moss
86 Northern Lights Blvd
Kalispell, MT 59901