Struggle between airport, property owners is ongoing

The struggle between the Sandpoint Airport and private property owners is ongoing.

The airport wants to expand to bring larger planes with wider wing spans into Sandpoint, believing it will bolster the local economy. The conflict arises when property owners are told they must give easements to the airport or are even threatened to have their property taken by eminent domain.

Under the Idaho Airport Land Use Guidelines, “Both the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 14 of the Idaho State Constitution address private property rights asserting that private property may not be taken for public purposes without just compensation.” And, “…. in many instances surrounding jurisdictions have control of land in the vicinity of the airport, not the sponsor (the Airport), thus the sponsor has no authority over land use policies and zoning enforcement. If the airport wants your property, then by law, they must first complete a Regulatory Taking Assessment and present it to the property owner.

In 2019, the Sandpoint City Council, in conjunction with the airport, updated their Comprehensive Airport Plan, however, state and federal laws prevail. Intimidation and obfuscation of the truth are tactics used to bully property owners into giving up their rights. If you or anyone you know has signed an Avigation Easement with the county, without having received compensation, you may want to follow up with legal counsel to ensure it is legally binding.  

MAUREEN TILLBERG

Sandpoint