Nut Tree plan starts to take off

Nut Tree plan starts to take off

By Danny Bernardini

Posted: 01/21/2010 01:01:40 AM PST

A Japan Airlines trainer practices touch and go landings at the Nut Tree in this October 2008 image. A master plan for the airport is in the works and public comment is sought. (Rick Roach / The Reporter)

After years of circling the runway, the Nut Tree Airport master plan has finally been cleared for takeoff.

Those hoping to contribute got a sneak peak at how things will shake out in the next 18 to 24 months as a kickoff meeting was held Wednesday at the Ulatis Cultural Center in Vacaville.

The Nut Tree Airport has not had a master plan update since 1993, and the new plan will help shape the makeup of the airport for the next 20 years. It is run by Solano County, which means the board of supervisors will have the ultimate say in approving the plan.

Included in the plan will be a view of the facility's needs in the future, open land for possible development, a runway analysis and a business and financial plan.

While many in the crowd were hoping to receive concrete information and details at Wednesday's meeting, it centered around how the process of how those in the business community and residents can have their voices heard.

Representatives of Barnard Dunkelberg and Company, a consultant group hired from Tulsa, Okla., were on hand to present. Peter Van Pelt, a planner, said the public will be kept in the loop the entire way.

Along with the public getting a glimpse at the four drafts of the plan that will be presented, about 30 people will make up a stakeholders group. They include businesses at the airport, users, neighbors and the city of Vacaville.

Some in the crowd were vocal in their skepticism that the process would be private and questioned how much input they would be able to add.

"This is an open process. Anything shared with that group will be shared with you," Van Pelt told the crowd. "You the public are an important part of this process."

Van Pelt repeatedly told those in the crowd they may submit any ideas and the comments would be used as suggestions. Four working-group meetings and four public meetings will be held, as each of the drafts are presented.

He also said any projections or predictions about what should be built or added to the airport would only come to fruition if the need is there. There will also be extensive studies to see if some elements of other master plans for airports would be included for the Nut Tree.

"Is there a demand, we don't frankly know," Van Pelt said. "But we are going to find out."

Duncan Miller, well-known for his participation around Nut Tree Airport for decades, said he hoped it received some publicity as part of the master plan. He said far too many people aren't informed about what goes on there.

"I am 100 percent enthusiastic. I've worked for quite a few years to show it to people, but they don't know it's here," said Miller, 88. "I hope they educate people on why it's here and what it offers."