COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners want a lingering dispute between the Branch County Memorial Airport and nearby property owner Robert Worley to be resolved without the need to go to court.
During their work session on Thursday, Commissioners told Airport Manager Joe Best to enter into negotiations with Worley to settle their dispute on the recently amended airport zoning ordinance.
The action came after there was a deadline last Friday for Worley to get his trees in compliance with the ordinance or face possible legal action by the airport.
The dispute has been going on for over two years and centers around the height of trees near an airport approach to a grass runway.
The ordinance establishes airport zoning regulations restricting the height of structures and objects of natural growth. No structure can be more than 25 feet high less than three miles from the airport.
While 20 other property owners near the airport have complied, Worley has held out. He claims the removal of the trees would devalue his property and that he has been harassed.
The dispute is also affecting the type of licensing the airport can operate under especially in light of the increased traffic at the airport in recent years.
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