Airport Master Plan gets public flyby

The public will get a chance to weigh in on the new Airport Master Plan at three public workshops, starting next Wednesday.

The last Airport Master Plan was completed in 1998.

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the master plan to the public and Michael Haak, of Aeroland Planning, LLC, is hoping for input from locals.

“As an outsider looking in, I can’t tell the community what they need to do,” Haak said. “A big part of the workshop is to get it out there that this is a public process.”

According to Haak, Shively Field is one of the most active business category airports in the state. The airport is almost built out to what was anticipated in the prior master plan – it has a dual taxiway and the length of the runway is near what was expected of it.

“That is why we’re doing another master plan,” Haak said, “in addition to the need for future funding.”

The FAA requires an updated master plan before it commits funding assistance to the town.

At the first public workshop, Haak will be presenting data he put together using existing studies from WYDOT aeronautics, the FAA, the town of Saratoga, the Carbon County Economic Development plan and information he gathered himself by walking and driving around the area.

The second public workshop will go beyond existing conditions and address specific additions like the proposed business park.

The Dec. 12 workshop will be at town hall from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.