After more than four years of public input, comment and critique, in late 1997 the Boone County Commissioners approved and adopted a new Comprehensive Plan for Boone County. As noted in the introduction to the Comprehensive Plan, public workshops were held through out the county. The intent of the public process in revising the 1976 Master Land Use Plan was “To create community-based goals and objective as a foundation for local decision-making. This comprehensive plan embodies a spirit of public participation in the planning process, and the recommendations contained herein reflect this participation”.

Those having an interest in the use and prosperity of Terry Airport believe it is important for the Board to review the 1997 Comprehensive Plan, not only because of its broad-based community input, but also because the plan was formulated with the assistance of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee that assured a formal citizen participation through the review and drafting process. Given the vast amount of public input and the length of the participation process, it is entirely appropriate for boards and agencies charged with responsibility of fairly implementing Boone County’s planning and zoning ordinances to presume that references, suggestions and stated goals and objectives regarding Terry Airport reflect the combined thoughts and conclusions of the citizenry of Boone County.

In discussing transportation patterns on page 17 and 18 of the Comprehensive Plan, airports are referenced on page 18 as follows:

Airports
Two general aviation airports are located within Boone County. Terry Airport is located just south of SR 32 near the Hamilton County line. Increased use of this airport is expected as general aviation traffic is diverted from Indianapolis International Airport to the smaller airports surrounding the metropolitan Indianapolis area. Boone County Airport is located south of Lebanon. This small airport does not have the navigational aids or length of runways to accommodate the larger aircraft that are served by Terry Airport. Terry Airport is increasingly used by corporate aircraft.

Airports were again referenced under the Land Use Overview starting on page 27 of the Comprehensive Plan. Existing Land Uses were identified and an airport classification was specifically identified and placed on the Land Use Plan. It is important to note that area defined as “Airport” encompasses substantially more land than owned by the current owners and operators of Terry Airport. Presumably this was done with the belief that future expansion of the airport might move into that area designated in the Land Use Plan. After the Land Use Plan, a map was inserted entitled “Opportunities and Constraints”. Certain select categories and areas of existing and proposed development were singled out on the map. Terry Airport was specifically singled out with the wording “Encourage the improvement of Terry Airport”.

The section of the Plan discussing Eagle and Union Townships, where Terry Airport is located, is found on pages 29 and 30. Again, Terry Airport is specifically referenced with the following language:

“Terry Airport in eastern Union Township provides an excellent resource to industrial and commercial uses in and around Boone County. The airport has experienced substantial growth due to the overflow of general aviation uses from Indianapolis International Airport. Specific development standards and land use requirements should be incorporated into any expansion or new development in or around the airport”.

The specific reference to the airport related classification in the Union/Eagle Township Land Use Plan Map again shows the area of the airport. This area far exceeds the land owned and operated by Terry Airport in 1997.

In analyzing the transportation system in and throughout Boone County, Terry Airport was referenced as follows:

Alternative Transportation Opportunities and Enhancements Air transportation will play a key role in the expansion of the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Terry Airport, in Eastern Union Township, will play an important role in alleviating local air traffic loads at Indianapolis International Airport. Improvements to Terry Airport should be made as opportunities are available to provide regional air transportation links throughout central Indiana. Surface transportation improvements should be coordinated to allow convenient and safe access to Terry Airport. Boone County Airport offers a good facility for the recreational flyer. It is anticipated that the influx of aviation related employees at Indianapolis International Airport will result in an increase of housed airplanes and recreational flyers at these facilities.

In addition to providing data and a factual analysis, the Boone County Comprehensive Plan establish certain goals and objectives starting on page 52 of the Plan, presenting “ An overall community vision for the future” and “Consideration and development of goals and objectives as been given to the various current demographic trends facing the County”.

Specifically, goal number 6 (page 61) is to “Encourage the Development of a Transportation System that will Ensure the most Efficient and Safe Movement of People and Goods with Minimal Impact to Adjacent Residents”. In listing certain objectives to meet out this goal, objective 6.5 states:

6.5 “Encourage the continued operation of existing airport and rail transportation systems”.

Strategy A
Encourage local airport owners to pursue federal funding for airport related
development for general aviation airports located within Boone County.

The Boone County Comprehensive Plan clearly recognizes and anticipates the existence of Terry Airport. Increased use of the airport for general aviation traffic is not only expected but encouraged. Indeed, the area listed on the maps of the Plan for the airport exceed those areas now utilized by Terry Airport. While no expansion of the airport area has occurred since 1997, the Comprehensive Plan did suggest that “Specific Development Standards and Land Use Requirements should be incorporated into any expansion or new development in and around the airport.” However, the Boone County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance does not yet contain an Airport Land Use category nor does it set out any Specific Development or Land Use Requirements for future expansion of the airport. Perhaps these requirements may be adopted in the future by the County’s legislative body so to deal with expansion of Terry Airport beyond its current borders.

Respectfully submitted,
By: PARR RICHEY OBREMSKEY & MORTON
Kent M. Frandsen

DONALDSON, ANDREOLI & TRUITT


By: ________________________________
Michael J. Andreoli