When I was in primary school, field trips were a highlight. They transformed textbook knowledge into tangible experiences. Similarly, in business and government, we often receive polished PowerPoint presentations where presenters flaunt credentials that sometimes merely serve their own interests, yet often fall short of the real-world reality.
The residents of Eagle Crest Airport Homeowners Association and Hudson Fields LLC have engaged with both the county council and planning & zoning for over a year concerning airport issues, well before any active applications were tabled. Despite these interactions with P&Z administration and their written commitments to require noise notifications for developments near airports, these promises remain unfulfilled.
It's high time elected and appointed officials immerse themselves in the actual experiences of their constituents, rather than relying solely on the views of paid, self-proclaimed experts and non-elected county administrators. A private invitation has been extended, which I understand was refused. It seems our local government would prefer to bury their head in the sand than bear witness firsthand to what residents of the proposed Twin Masts subdivision will endure – feeling aircraft soar less than 100 feet over rooftops, homes trembling and conversations interrupted by the overwhelming noise. This will be the daily reality for future homeowners at Twin Masts.
Moreover, there has been scant discussion about the legal nonconforming use granted to Hudson Fields LLC/Eagle Crest Airport by Sussex County Council in 2018. Our presence here is established, and we're here to stay. The FAA, in a letter provided to P&Z, noted that merely labeling us a private airport and then sidelining our concerns is unreasonable. This acknowledgment comes with rights, including the prevention of foreseeable conflicts, which are imminent unless addressed.
Both ECHOA and Hudson Fields respect property rights and recognize the inevitability of progress. However, after selling the properties, this developer will move on, leaving the airport and successive county councils to manage the ensuing challenges.
Our plea is straightforward: full disclosure to prospective and future homeowners that their properties lie beneath an airport departure route and are susceptible to environmental challenges, notably extreme noise. This shouldn't be concealed in obscure clauses, but conveyed in clear terms.
Effective planning will enable our communities to harmoniously coexist in the years ahead. And it's worth noting, planning – both in name and duty – is foundational to P&Z's role, encompassing health and safety concerns. I fully trust that once the P&Z members realize the real-world impact of living under a noisy airport departure, they will fully grasp the experiences they are currently legislating based merely on book knowledge. Won’t you please reconsider and join us for a field trip to hear it for yourself?
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