There was a comment just posted to the June 5 blog here, called "Note from the June 5 meeting". The comment said that the airport wanted someone's land, and they were just going to take it, by offering fair market value, whether the people wanted to sell it or not. Is that right? The justification would be that the airport is good for the economy of the county.
Can they do that?
I don't know if they can. Does someone out there know? Please, whomever knows about this, look into it and post here what is going on.
Alice
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I'm not sure, but the airport is run by a commission, and its members are appointed by both the Town of Luray and Page County. Therfore I believe yes, the Airport Commission would have some power of emminet domain (sp)...
for other than expansison to the runway, I couldn't see the use of ED for the Airport...
Thank you. The use of eminent domain in order to allow one party to gain commercial or tax revenue advantages over another party is a bigger issue to me than illegal immigration in Page County, primarily because we don't have many (any?) illegal immigrants here yet. But we do seem to have a mindset of "taking" land. The poster said (read the post under "Notes from the June 5 meeting"), the land was being taken for the new hangars. While "fair market value", meaning I suppose whatever the last tax assessment was, was being offered, it wasn't a negotiation.
Our airport does have the POTENTIAL to be an attraction for business, but as evidenced by the results, it hasn't attracted any yet. I think it's great to have a nice airport here. I'm really glad we have one. I'd love to see it expanded, provided it can use grant money and not tax dollars. I think if we ever were going to get business, it would be important to have it.
But I don't know that I would extend that enthusiasm to the right to take someone's land who didn't want to sell, unless that land were really, really necessary to extend the runway. If it's a matter of placement of hangars, I would think they'd have to keep looking around until they found someone who was willing to sell, or raise their purchase price until they found a willing taker.
And now that I think about it, how did this airport get to be publicly owned in the first place? Who uses it other than Luray Caverns?
I believe the Caverns gave the land to the Commission (i.e. Town and County) to be developed for an airport many years ago. I would bet that a condition of the "gift" was that it retain the name "Luray Caverns Airport" which in some ways is misleading...
Actually the expansion of the runway is only one reason to acquire more acreage. The other is to have a safety fly zone which will include capping many of the older tallest trees and clearing out a wooded area completely for the relocation of Power Dam Road......which is THE main reason for so much of our land being needed. Heaven forbid that they would have to relocate on the side where the Country Club and golf course is. Also, sorry Mrs. Richmond for not getting back to you via e-mail as you asked. I will try to do that as soon as I can. I have been busy searching the internet for info concerning this matter as I like to have my research correct and not be ignorant when and if the time comes that the AUTHORITY decides to let us know when the bull dozers are coming. I've been following your site for the last two months in silence. Guess it just takes something like this to make a person sit up and take notice. Thanks
I am one of those land owners that will be affected by this land grab for this "business attraction". I have the following questions that I think should be answered:
1. How long has this project been in the planning phase? And why are we just now hearing about? Why is the county trying to keep this secret?
2. What study has been done that indicates expanding our airport will attract new business to Luray and Page County? If a study was performed, were can we get a copy?
3. How much money would Luray and Page County put toward matching federal funds?
4. If the county is strapped for funds, where would the money come from? Some secret fund no one knows about?
5. How much additional money will be needed to maintain this expanded airport? Staff? Equipment? Personal?
6. Will the town and county have to hire full time personal to handle emergency situations?
7. How would the county road infrastructure handle new business? The shortest route to a major interstate is 211.....and we all know what happens when you combine mountains, curves, and speeding trucks. Would we all have our taxes doubled again to pay for road improvements?
8. And if the county was fortunate enough to attract new business........one of the the first things they ask for is special tax breaks!!! Can the people of Page County afford to give special tax breaks for corporations while they are paying double in property taxes.
The airport was a topic at the county meeting last night. Please read my new Blog titled Airport: Aug 7 Work Session. I did get some of the answers to your questions at that meeting.
1. Why is the county keeping this secret?
A: It seems to be a secret from the county. The Supervisors haven't heard about it YET.
2. Study. None, it's just sensible to think that it would attract business, more than not having it would.
3. Luray and Page County would each put 1% of the money to matching federal funds.
4. The number of unfunded projects coming down the pike is astounding. This would actually not take much money because it is all grants.
5. Luray Caverns pays to operate the airport, not the town and county.
6. No more than now.
7. New business?
8. No new business is pending.
Please see the Airport Blog.
Alice
I'm sure you printed these answers word for word from the mouths of experts, but some of these answers would be funny if they weren't so blatantly misleading. Not lies, just a long walk around the truth.
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