SUPERVISORS APPROVE LAND PURCHASE ADJACENT TO BORREGO VALLEY AIRPORT

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By Miriam Raftery

September 11, 2013 (San Diego) – Today, Supervisors approved the acquisition of over 14 acres of vacant land adjacent to Borrego Valley airport. The purchase aims to create a buffer zone between the airport and private properties to protect approach and departure routes. The property is listed for sale at $20,000.

No one spoke in favor of the measure.  One speaker, Robert Germann of Lakeside, spoke against, calling it a “waste of taxpayer money.”

Germann said the aviation industry has been in decline locally. Private pilots have dropped in numbers from 245,230 a decade ago to 188,001 today, he said, citing the Aircraft Owners and Pilots  Association.  Borrego has only 28 aircraft based there, he added.

He also questioned why there were no letters of support on file from the city of Borrego Springs, the Borrego Planning Group, or the San Diego Hammerheads, an aerobatic flying club based in Borrego. 

Supervisors voted 4-0 in favor of the acquisition, with Supervisor Gregg Cox absent.


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