Sunday, April 29, 2007
Stockton and the San Joaquin County government have bickered for more than a year about the airport.
Stockton Metropolitan Airport is on unincorporated county land. Should it be?
The area around it has the potential for successful business park development. But who's in the best position to provide much-needed services to make that happen?
There's tax revenue to be gained. How can that be shared?
The county operates the airport, a source of pride for decades. If Stockton Metro is annexed into the city, how can those long-standing rights be protected?
Last week, the two entities agreed to disagree.
Or did they, as City Councilman Clem Lee maintains, finally find a way for both to claim victory?
Here's the deal: Stockton will provide sewer and water services without requiring annexation in exchange for the county's decision to change its long-standing position that the city can never annex the airport property.
That does not, however, prohibit the county from protesting Stockton's annexation plans if and when they arise.
We're not sure what that means except that the sides still differ on the future of the airport - and their roles in it.
It does allow the 550-acre Airport East business park to move forward. Developers now know hookups will be available.
Maybe this is the victory: By deciding to lay down their swords, the two local governments will allow the airport spat to go before the Local Agency Formation Commission, which directs municipal growth and land-use issues.
Let LAFCO figure this out, both seem to be saying. Or maybe things just aren't what they seem.