BC 1977 06 09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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37 maintained and kept in good order? Who is going to provide the equipment for maintaining the areas in and around the runways? Who is going to mow the grass and maintain the terrain and buildings? The Authority must think the citizens of Cabarrus County are stupid if they believe this facility will actually produce income which will have the effect of helping to hold the ad valorem tax rate to a minimum. The Authority notes that a very important consideration in a success- ful airport operation is the selection of a fixed base operator and further notes that Cannon Aircraft Sales and Service, which is the largest and old- est fixed base operator located at Douglas Airport in Charlotte, has express- ed an interest in this phase of the operation. There is a lot of difference between the expression of an interest and contracting to operate a base so that the owner will receive a profit. We are informed and believe that the Cannon Aircraft Sales and Service was sold during the last several years to Thurston Motor Lines, Inc., because it was operating at a substantial deficit. Whether or not this business has operated atla profit since it has been operating as a subsidiary of Thurston remains to be seen. The Authority suggests that the fixed base operation would offer a full range of services including light, medium and heavy maintenance. This means four-engine jets. Heavy maintenance is not necessary unless the facility is to be used by aircraft which requires heavy maintenance equipment. It is our understanding that the Cabarrus County Airport Authority was commissioned to make a study--FIRST, to determine whether there is in fact a need for a General Aviation Airport in Cabarrus County; SECOND, if the need exists, then to select a site for the proposed airport. The Authority has completely ignored the first and most important direc- tive of its commission. It jumped to the second directive regarding the selection of a site without obtaining a single piece of competent evidence which would indicate a need for an airport in Cabarrus County. The only justification which the Authority has presented to you for an airport in Cabarrus County is the fact that Cabarrus County is the largest populated county east of the Mississippi River without a public airport. Perhaps this is a distinction which we should zealously protect. If there is a need for an airport in Cabarrus CountY, let the Authority come forth with some facts rather than generalities without substance. Who are the individuals that have planes which will in fact be based at an airport in Cabarrus County if one were available? Who are the individ- uals in Cabarrus County that do not now own a plane, but who would acquire a plane if there were an airport in Cabarrus County? What businesses are there in Cabarrus County which now own planes which would be based in Cabarrus County if an airport were available? What businesses are there in Cabarrus County which do not now have planes, but which would acquire planes if there were an airport in Cabarrus County? What is or will be the make and value of each of the foregoing planes; and what kind of rent will the individual and/or business establishment be willing to pay to store their planes in Cabarrus County? With this kind of information, one can act intelligently, but without such information it would be foolish to undertake such a project; the wisest teacher and counselor who ever walked upon the face of the earth said, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? "Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him. ." (LUKE 15:28-29) In conclusion, the Airport Authority would have you believe that the approval and development of an airport at the proposed site would create an abundance of revenue from ad valorem taxes, would increase the value of the property in and around the area in question, and would provide the people of Cabarrus County with a needed facility. On the other hand, the concerned citizens contend that the airport which will be a public facility, not subject to ad valorem tax, will remove from the tax books 130 acres, of a 1200 acre tract presently valued by the owner at $2,500 per acre, but which appears on the tax books at only $380.05 per acre and which has a potential for development in the not too distant future as a prime residential area with substantially increased tax values. At the present moment, one developer alone has in one subdivision 6 houses under construction, valued at $250,000.00 with plans for 50 homes during the next five years at a value of $2,500,000.00. And in a second development, he has 5 houses under construction valued at $325,000.00 with projected plans for 125 houses during the next five years with a value of $7,750,000.00. The proposal, if adopted, will put an end to these plans and will destroy the peace and tranquility of community life in an area which includes a large elementary school and two houses of worship, one of which has existed for more than 200 years.