Objective: Establish a documented, good-faith effort showing the City and Mayor/City Council that CSS sought practical compromises to allow both the University Hills development and Andy Jackson Airpark (AJX) to safely coexist.
Key Arguments:
Emphasize that Encore is asking the City to amend the 2008 approved plan, which previously included open-space buffering relied upon by CSS for safe hang glider approach patterns.
A graphic overlay comparing the 2008 approved open space against Encore’s current proposal highlights the loss of critical safety buffer zone.
Original Two-Option Draft Proposal:
Option 1 (Preferred): Remove or relocate 12 lots (Lots 1–4, 109–112, 324–327) to preserve the minimum necessary approach corridor.
Option 2 (Alternative): Remove/relocate 3 lots (Lots 325–327) and secure funding to relocate 3–4 power poles immediately west of CSS property, allowing CSS to redesign its standard approach patterns away from the development area.
2. Community & City Outreach
Leadership Meetings at the LZ: Members of the Board of Directors were able to meet in person at the Landing Zone with both the Mayor and the City Manager to directly communicate the club’s safety concerns, explain flight operations, and advocate for safe approach corridors to assist with lot development negotiations.
3. Encore Offer & Shift in Negotiations (June 24)
Encore’s Proposal: Through City Planner Mike Rosales and developer Dave Hardy, Encore formally offered a compromise to remove or relocate Lot 327, providing an additional ~138 ft of frontage along the landing approach area. In exchange, Encore requested CSS notify the City Council that concerns are resolved and withdraw further testimony.
Board Assessment: While recognizing movement by Encore, the Board agreed that removing Lot 327 alone is insufficient to protect the required flight safety corridor.
4. Proposed Counter-Response & Governance
Draft Counter-Response: Prepared to acknowledge Encore’s offer on Lot 327, while pointing out that several other lots (including Lots 1, 2, 112, and 326) still encroach into the open-space/safety corridor from the 2008 plan. It requests that Encore either provide a scaled overlay proving otherwise or adjust the plan to fully preserve the 2008 open-space safety buffer.
Unified Communication Protocol: Emphasized the necessity for all substantive communications with Encore and the City to be coordinated through the Board and a unified committee (Luke, Rob McKenzie, Mike Meier, Owen, and Jamie) to ensure a clear, consistent stance.