The City of Sutton will be hosting a community workshop Wednesday, Nov. 19, with discussions centered around the private airstrip overlay (PAO) that was originally created and passed by the planning and zoning committee and the city council in early May this year.
The community workshop will take place at the Sutton Community Center beginning at 6 p.m.
After some concerned discussions came to the attention of the council during its October council meeting, the city leaders paused the new zoning regulations last month in order to take a longer and deeper look into the zoning regulations and seek additional community input into the implementation of the zoning district, which runs along South Saunders Ave.
A citizen spoke to council members with concerns that they weren’t made aware of the new district until after it was approved by the council in May.
PAO BACKGROUND
• The Private Airstrip Overlay (PAO) was created earlier this year to promote safe aircraft operations and compatible land use near private airstrips within Sutton’s zoning jurisdiction.
• The overlay establishes specific “safety zones” around private airstrips—runway, approach, and horizontal areas— where building height, lighting, and certain uses are regulated to reduce hazards to aircraft during takeoff and landing.
• These standards are intended to protect both pilots and surrounding property owners by preventing tall structures, glare, or other visual obstructions that could interfere with airstrip operations.
WHY IT’S BEING REVIEWED • During the Oct. 13, 2025, meeting, the City Council directed staff to re-examine the PAO because the version previously adopted did not fully reflect the council’s policy goals or the community’s feedback.
• The intent is to make sure the overlay remains practical, enforceable, and consistent with local land use priorities, while maintaining necessary aviation safety provisions.
KEY UPDATES IN ATTORNEY’S NEW DRAFT City Administrator Warren Myers noted some key updates to the most recent draft from City Attorney Drew Graham to the PAO, including: Scaled-Back Zone Dimensions:
• Runway area zones reduced from 250 feet to 125 feet on each side of the centerline.
• Approach-departure zones shortened from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet in length and narrowed at both ends.
• Horizontal zone boundary simplified to 1,000 feet radially from the runway centerline, replacing the previous “¼-mile beyond property line” definition.
Adjusted Height Standards:
• Approach-departure zones now begin at 75 feet above the landing threshold, increasing at a rate of 5 feet for every 25 feet of horizontal distance.
• Horizontal zone height limit increased from 150 feet to 275 feet above airstrip elevation.
• The intent is to align with the scale of smaller private airstrips and reduce unnecessary restrictions on surrounding property.
Nonconforming Use Clarifications: • Allows property owners to build additional structures on the same parcel if the new construction does not exceed the height of a lawfully existing structure.
• Extends the abandonment period for a nonconforming use from 6 months to 12 months.
• Retains existing provisions requiring removal of severely damaged or decayed trees that obstruct airspace.
New Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Option:
• Adds a formal process for property owners to apply for a CUP if they wish to exceed established height limits by up to 10 feet.
• Requires advance notice to the airstrip owner (at least 10 days before consideration) and documentation showing the proposal would not interfere with flight safety or operations.
Myers noted that the council may impose additional conditions, such as lighting or mitigation measures, to ensure compliance with safety standards.
According to Myers, “the city wants to make sure this overlay reflects both safety and the community’s ability to grow and prosper.”
Myers noted, “We don’t want to hinder development or take away from any local businesses, but we also need to ensure safe operations around private airstrips. The workshop on Nov. 19 is an opportunity for residents to help us fine-tune the details before anything moves forward for formal consideration, and it’s part of our effort to maintain transparency and keep the public involved in every step of the process.”
