Posts Tagged ‘Watsonville Airport’
Kudos to Watsonville Pilots
Watsonville Pilots took a giant step in preserving California’s General Aviation airports. They won a lawsuit that set a valuable precedent for others to follow.
Read MoreWatsonville – Fresh Thinking Needed for new General Plan
The nearly decade-long debate and litigation process involving the Watsonville Pilots Association, Friends of Buena Vista, the Sierra Club, along with Caltrans Division of Aeronautics versus the City of Watsonville, has finally concluded. The protracted process included countless meetings, extensive input from all groups, and a favorable ruling by the Santa Cruz County Superior Court, which supported the Pilots Association and Friends of Buena Vista (et al). Although the city challenged the ruling, 18 months later the appeals court upheld the earlier decision, thereby establishing a legal precedent that mandated compliance with the Airport Land Use Handbook.
Read MoreWatsonville Airport Alliance Beats the Odds
They say that you can’t beat City Hall, but then whoever they are never met these determined groups from Watsonville California.
The Watsonville Pilots Association (WPA), the Friends of Buena Vista – a local airport neighborhood group, some local businesses, and the Sierra Club, along with the California Division of Aeronautics, and the California Pilots Association became allies against a city planning effort that provided more questions than answers.
What was the common enemy that drew these different community groups together? In 2005 the City of Watsonville created Plan 2030. Part of the plan allowed building high density housing developments around the airport, violating the runway protection zones (RPZ’s). Plan 2030 would have undoubtedly caused the community of Watsonville, and its airport (WVI), problems long term. Sound familiar?
Read MoreWatsonville Backs Off Buena Vista Growth Plan
WATSONVILLE – The city will not appeal a judgment against its 2030 general plan to the state Supreme Court, officials said. Watsonville backs off Buena Vista growth plan; City Won’t Appeal Ruling Against 2030 General Plan
The City Council instead is expected on May 11 to rescind the development blueprint that called for building hundreds of homes north of the airport and an accompanying environmental study.
Watsonville Airport Brings More Business to Community
Watsonville company aims to bring flying to the masses
WATSONVILLE, CA. — A Watsonville light sport aircraft company is attempting to fuel excitement about the possibilities of local aviation. West Coast Sport Aircraft, which opened at the Watsonville Municipal Airport in February, specializes in a two-seater aircraft called Tecnam. The Watsonville business, which sells airplanes, conducts training courses and provides Santa Cruz County tours, held its official grand opening last week, which was attended by about 100 people.
Read MoreWatsonville – Appeals Court Hands Victory to Pilots
WATSONVILLE — Watsonville shouldn’t have changed runway safety zones to allow up to 2,200 homes to be built near its airport, a state appeals court ruled Monday.
Read MoreWatsonville – Appeals court sides with California Pilots
Local groups stand firm against encroachment
The city of Watsonville, Calif., violated state law when it approved a plan to eliminate safety zones around Watsonville Municipal Airport to develop the area, an appeals court affirmed March 15.
Watsonville – City Appeals Pilot Association Lawsuit Decision
Watsonville defends airport safety decision in court
By Donna Jones – Santa Cruz Sentinel
SAN JOSE – A day after a small plane crashed into an East Palo Alto neighborhood, Watsonville officials were in an appeals court defending a decision to eliminate safety zones around Watsonville Municipal Airport.
Editor’s Note: Just as we have been previously reporting the City of Watsonville is attempting to overturn the decision against it because they were trying to ignore potential noise and safety issues at the airport that their Plan 2030 would cause.
