Advisory group forms in airport controversy

By Matt Garfield - Matt Garfield

Hoping to counteract months of criticism directed toward the local airport, Rock Hill and York County leaders have created a citizens group to promote the facility and educate the public about its importance.

Business executives, professional pilots and nearby homeowners are among the members of what organizers are calling a community airport advisory group.

The panel will hear from various neighbors and businesses affected by the airport, including neighborhood leaders, before making recommendations late this year on the airport's future.

The city hired former Springs Global executive Ted Matthews to coordinate the effort. Matthews will be paid $28,000 for his role as facilitator, according to a copy of the contract provided to The Herald by the city. The money comes from the airport's operating fund, officials said.

Exploring airport's future

In putting together the panel, the airport commission looked for people with unbiased views, chairman Ralph Grigg said.

"This advisory group will offer an objective review of the airport and its future growth prospects," Grigg said in a written announcement. "We sought out people who we felt could provide valuable perspectives and experience, but most of all objective viewpoints about our airport."

That description contrasts with the role Matthews laid out in a written contract proposal to serve as facilitator of the group. In that role, Matthews will not take part in any votes but instead will organize speakers and events.

Matthews describes how his skills and knowledge of the region would be "valuable assets for the city to retain as it works toward strengthening the airport's future."

The Fort Mill resident left Springs last year after his post as vice president of communications was eliminated in a round of layoffs. After leaving the company, he started his own public relations and marketing firm.

On Thursday night, Matthews declined to elaborate on his role.

In the proposal, he writes that an orderly public discussion is needed to "protect the public's investment in the airport and enhance its ability to grow and compete."

He also refers to a need to "create acceptance of this asset among neighbors and nearby landowners."

Neighbors upset

Controversy erupted almost a year ago when the city and county announced plans to impose tighter zoning rules on land around the airport.

Located since 1959 off Celanese Road on the northwest side of town, the airport serves amateur pilots and small jets doing business in the Charlotte area.

The rules aim to restrict development close to the runway, where local officials are pursuing a 1,000-foot lengthening in hopes of luring more corporate jet traffic. Some neighbors view the rules as a major step toward a bigger airport -- and the disruptions that would come with it.

Federal dollars are more readily available to airports where land restrictions have been imposed.

Some neighbors opposed to airport expansion voiced skepticism over whether the group will be objective.

"It's self-serving for them," said homeowner Walt Wunderlich, who lives in nearby Channing Park. "They're going to do what they want to do, and come (heck) or high water, they're going to do it. They just patronize us."

Grigg said the panel will make a number of recommendations about the airport, including some ideas on how to improve community relations.