"Editorial: Officials should keep options open on Hilton Head Island Airport"

Friday, March 30, 2007

Editorial
Officials should keep options open on airport
The Hilton Head Island (SC) Daily Packet


The Hilton Head Island Airport cuts a large swath through the middle of the
island and is surrounded by homes, businesses and busy roads.

So it's easy to understand why town officials are adamant that they play a
role in its future.

To that end, a Town Council committee Wednesday moved forward a change in
town law that would require the airport's owner, Beaufort County, to get
Town Council approval before the runway could be lengthened.

The airport, which predates the town, is allowed by special exception under
the industrial zoning in that area of the island. The proposal would change
that so the airport is allowed there only under certain conditions,
specifically that the runway stays at its current length of 4,300 feet.

To make any changes to the runway length, the county would have to apply for
a rezoning, which would require Town Council
approval.

The zoning change is a smart move by town officials. It ensures a debate and
a detailed process if the county wants to extend the runway. It's important
that such a debate occur, no matter what side of the issue you fall on.

Airport supporters need not be afraid of this change. They can make their
case when the time comes, as can opponents of 
extending the runway.

The town's pledge to prevent lengthening the airport runway, a move that
dictates the type of airplanes that can fly into the airport, is more than
two decades old. Good public policy keeps options open as circumstances and
community needs change. That's why state law requires a review of a
community's comprehensive plan every five years.

Town and county officials take the right approach when they explore all
options. The county has started an audit of the airport's finances, and
county officials have met with federal and state aviation representatives on
questions about tree removal and safety. Town and county officials also are
looking at options for the facility if commercial service is lost.

The county says it has no plans to expand the facility to accommodate larger
planes, and both the town and county are hoping to keep things the way they
are. But aviation officials are worried -- and rightfully so -- that if the
planes now used by Delta and US Airways Express go out of service, a longer
runway would be needed to keep commercial service flying into the island.

Right now, county and town officials are hearing from very vocal
constituencies on both sides of the runway issue. More than 100 people
turned out earlier this month for a League of Women Voters-sponsored forum
on the airport.

But do we know what the majority of Hilton Head Island residents want? The
town may want to consider an advisory referendum on the issue. Yes, there
are risks in a referendum, especially one whose results town officials might
not want to follow. And it would need to be held when the greatest number of
voters are likely to participate.

Still, it could be a critical piece of the puzzle as town and county
officials sort out the airport's future.

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