Public pushes back on proposed changes to South Valley Regional Airport

WEST JORDAN, Utah — Planners for Salt Lake City Airports hosted their first public meeting for changes to South Valley Regional Airport. The changes include a longer runway and more hangar space, among other things. In a standing-room-only meeting Tuesday night, dozens of people turned out to hear the plans and voice concerns.

The airport, which sits along 7365 South and 4450 West, also backs up to a large field that hosts sports tournaments throughout the year.

During the meeting, airport planners outlined plans that bring in more airplanes, hangars and traffic.

When public comment started, those in attendance didn’t mince words when voicing concerns over property values.

An hour into the meeting — and after outlining maps, diagrams, how many more flights would be coming into and going out of the airport daily over the next 20 years — public comment began. And there were several reoccurring themes: noise, home values, traffic and the soccer fields.

“It will give a roadmap of growth over the next 20 years,” said Brady Fredrickson, planner for Salt Lake Airports. “What areas do we need to do to promote and enhance safety, and then what types of airspace do we do to reduce noise and make flying into and out of the airport more friendly?”

The plan would allow more flights, but Fredrickson said those would never be big, commercial airliners. Instead, people can expect more small planes and private jets.

Part of the plan could allow the airport to obtain land that is currently a popular field where many sports tournaments are held. One woman, who said she represents Jordan District, wants to see plans to replace the fields if they will be eliminated.

“Your soccer fields that you're impeding that is very important to these folks, what consideration might you have for finding alternative options?” she said. 

West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton believes the changes to the airport will be good for the city.

“Anytime we get a boost for the economic development, the better things are for the city. The better things are for the city, the better it is for the residents. The better is it for the residents, makes me happy.”

But the residents still need some convincing.

There will be another public meeting early next year.

Planners will have the first public meeting for the Tooele airport on Thursday night in Tooele.

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