Funny you should ask: what's the big deal about that new house being built by the airport?

Sec. 118-89. - Airport heights limitation zone.

Airport hazard means any structure or object of natural growth, which obstructs the air space required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off.

(c) Height limitation zones.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no structure shall be constructed, installed, altered, located or permitted to remain after such construction, installation, alteration or location to a height in excess of the height limit indicated on the map referred to in Subsection (b) of this section.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no trees shall be allowed to grow to a height in excess of the height limit indicated on the map referred to in Subsection (b) of this section.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no drones shall be operated at or above a height in excess of the height limit indicated on the map referred to in Subsection (b) of this section.

(d)Exceptions. 

The restrictions contained in Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to objects which are less than 35 feet in height above ground level at the object site within one-half-mile of the airport boundary or to structures less than 50 feet in height above ground within the area beginning one-half mile from the airport boundary and extending to one mile from the airport boundary or to structures less than 100 feet in height above the ground within the area beginning one mile from the airport boundary and extending to three miles from the airport boundary.

An old Google map of our grass runway as it pictures only one house on Nielsen Lane

If you subscribe to the Chetek Alert you know that last month we had a bit of a dust-up during the City Council meeting over a new house being built on Nielsen Lane near the grassy runway. A small contingent of local pilots appointed commercial pilot Al Knowlton to speak on their behalf alerting the city what a safety hazard that house presents.

Here's the issue: a house rises near the end of the grass runway

“Since statistics show most fatal crashes occur during takeoff, the homes at the end of the runway could be deadly obstacles. They should not have been built in the first place. We don't build houses within 50 feet of a freeway for those reasons. Cars go fast.” (Al Knowlton as quoted in the Chetek Alert 5/16/18)

Greg Brodt, another local pilot who has similar safety concerns about the construction of this house, privately messaged me the following questions:

Did the city issue a building permit [for the dwelling] off the west end of the runaway?

If so, this could be very dangerous. Did the airport commission approve it or make any recommendations? Were there any concerns that the State had?

Let me answer those questions. First of all, Yes. The city did issue a building permit for this house.

Every house that is built within the city limits has to be okayed by Joe Atwood the City Inspector before it's built. This house is no different. The inferred concern about the height of the house does not apply. According to Section 118-89 anything under 35 feet tall within one-half mile of the airport is legit. I think the peak of the house being built is slightly under 25-feet tall. That's where our jurisdiction ends. If it's under 35 feet (and clearly it is) than we cannot tell someone not to build in that spot.

As to the question regarding the airport commission approving or not approving the construction of the house (which the city cannot refuse a permit to the owner anyway), technically speaking there is no airport commission any longer. Last year after several meetings in a row not able to meet for lack of quorum it was the recommendation to the council that we disband the commission which we voted unanimously to do. From that moment on the city council essentially became the airport commission and Public Works Director Dan Knapp airport manager. As to the concerns specific to this house none were raised before they dug the hole as the airport manager had none to make.

“I'd hate to see someone crash into it or them to complain about noise” (Greg Brodt). As would I. As would all of us. I certainly understand the pilots are motivated by concerns for public safety but again there is nothing the city can do to restrict this home owner from building their home on Nielsen Lane. I also agree with Greg about noise issues: If you build your house next to an airport than you forfeit your right to complain about the noise airplanes make. Agreed. There's plenty of people on South Street and Phillips Street who have come accustomed to the sound of planes coming in and taking off. The folks on Nielsen Lane are no different.

This is what nobody wants ever to see at Southworth Airport

In my brief tenure as mayor council meetings can get kinda sporty at times as people for and against an issue sound off before the council and at times at each other. Obviously it's because they care about the matter at hand. Our job as the council is to listen respectfully and make the best call we can based on the current ordinances that govern our daily lives. In this case, our airport manager informs us that while in the event of a catastrophic event a plane could crash into a house there is no code that limits the construction of this home. Let's hope we never have cause to regret that the city never purchased the navigation rights to these properties back in 2003 when this subdivision was created.