(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson county board of adjustment voted three-to-two Monday night to deny a conditional use permit that would have allowed the construction of a private airport on some land in Lakeville Township of western Dickinson county.
The board took the action following a public hearing.
Opposition came from residents living near the proposed site and the city of Wahpeton. They were concerned over noise, the potential for pollution, drainage, traffic and other issues.
Proponents said the concerns were being blown out of proportion, saying the Spirit Lake airport in Okoboji is much closer to the lake than the one that was being proposed. One person added the multitude of boats on the lake over the weekend pose a far greater pollution threat than any airport would. That drew a round of applause from much of the capacity crowd.
Scott Nylen of WestStar Holdings, L.C., a Scottsdale, Arizona property management firm, wanted to build the private airport. He told KUOO news following the vote this probably won’t be the last time the airport controversy will come up in Dickinson county. The last time it surfaced was nine years ago. That proposal was much different than this one, as it would have involved public financing. Nylen did indicate though he would have entertained offers for a joint venture with Milford and/or Spirit Lake should they have expressed any interest.
Nylen told KUOO news he does not plan to appeal the Board of Adjustment’s action, adding he will not be moving his business here as a result.
Monday night’s meeting went on for about three and-a-half hours.
