Interest is growing among officials over a proposal for an exclusive, upscale residential subdivision tailored specifically for aircraft owners to be located adjacent to the Scappoose Industrial Airpark.
While discussions are in the early stages, officials of the Port of St. Helens, which owns the airport, and representatives of Sierra Pacific, a private corporation and owner of the proposed residential site, informally have agreed to work jointly to address land-use and other issues relating to the plan.
The site involves approximately 50 acres and is part of a larger parcel owned by Sierra Pacific located next to the southwest corner of the airport. The property is included in the city of Scappoose’s Public Use Airport Zone.
Bruce Hugo, a Sierra Pacific representative, told the Port commission Nov. 22 that the company would have to apply to the city for a zone change or a special land-use permit to accommodate a residential subdivision within the present airport zone.
But before moving forward on the land-use front, Hugo suggested the Port and Sierra Pacific discuss specifics of the development so it was compatible with airport use and the long-term plans for the facility.
Hugo said issues such as lot sizes, special security needs for the subdivision, and access to the airport’s runways for homeowners need to be resolved to the satisfaction of both sides, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration, which has ultimate jurisdiction over matters that may impact airport facilities.
By necessity, parcels would be significantly larger than the average residential lot, since each property would include an enclosed aircraft hanger, Hugo said. As much as 35 percent of each parcel would be impervious surface for aircraft to move from hanger to the airport’s taxiway. An agreement between the Port and subdivision would be required to allow property owners access to the airport. An annual airport access fee would be charged each property owner that would go to the Port, Hugo noted.
Hugo said that, according to his research, such a development is likely to attract potential owners who are in their late 50s with a net worth in "seven figures".
With Sierra Pacific preparing to hire a consultant to ready the necessary permit applications needed for the project to move forward, Hugo asked the Port commission for a formal acknowledgement of its interest in the project that would include areas of agreement between the Port and the developer. However, Port officials brushed off any formal agreement until more specifics about the development were presented.
Paul Pulliam, Port commission president, said he opposed a formal memorandum "until we get further along" in the process. He encouraged Sierra Pacific to continue to work with Port staff to further iron out specifics related to the development.