BRISTOL, Tenn. – The City Council is expected to vote Aug. 4 to support Tri-Cities Regional Airport’s effort to buy six nearby lots and use the land, for now, as a protective zone for one of its two runways.
Council members discussed their likely support for the Blountville, Tenn., airport’s plan during their Tuesday meeting.
The airport commission wants to buy the six lots in the nearby Grande Harbor subdivision. It would keep the area free from outside access, install a perimeter road for airport use and have the land available for possible emergency situations.
In future years, however, the acquired land could possibly allow Tri-Cities Airport to extend its second runway by up to 5,000 feet – a step recommended by federal officials.
While the airport commission and Grande Harbor developers have already agreed on a deal for the six lots, the land has a restrictive clause that states it can be used only for residential purposes. To remove that language, the airport commission must file a legal request that the lots be considered condemned. But before that legal action can take place, the Tri-Cities Airport’s six owners must officially support the move.
The Tri-Cities airport is jointly owned by both Bristol cities in Tennessee and Virginia, Kingsport, Johnson City, Sullivan County and Washington County.
Bristol Tennessee City Manager Jeffrey Broughton said the council needs to offer its support Aug. 4 so the airport commission and Grande Harbor officials could complete an official deal for the lots by early September.
In other developments Tuesday:
* The council decided it will keep members Joel Staton and James Messimer as its representatives on the Planning Commission, and have Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend remain its representative on the Bristol school board.
* Feierabend urged council members to consider a plan to start a city-wide, curbside recycling program.
“People are asking for it,” Feierabend said. But other council members appeared cool to Feierabend’s suggestion, expressing concern about the recycling program’s possible cost.
Broughton said it would likely result in a $2 to $3 monthly charge for residents.
rbrown@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2512.
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