Wed, Apr 04, 2007
Residents Unconvinced Benefits Would Outweigh
Inconvenience
At a
public meeting Monday, residents of Carroll County, MD announced
they are "unconvinced" by a study that insists an expanded Carroll
County Regional Airport (DMW) would create significant
benefits.
Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of the Baltimore-based Sage
Policy Group, said a large federal investment in the expansion
means "the county would reap all the benefits of increased airport
use while paying just a small portion of the cost."
Basu also acknowledged the associated increased noise could
possibly lower property values of neighboring homes. He said it
would be "fair" for the county to provide soundproofing to affected
residents and pushed those in attendance to "demand compensatory
policies from county officials."
About 150 residents and county staff members attended the
meeting. A commonly voiced concern centered on potential hidden
costs associated with expansion, such as increased traffic,
additional infrastructure needs property devaluation.
Jeff Silverman, a 20 year neighboring resident, fears a larger
airport will breed industrial development. Unlike the cost of
expansion , costs of such development's infrastructure "would fall
on taxpayers in Westminster and the county," he said.
According to the Carroll County Times, the recommended six-year
capital plan presented by the county budget director includes $85
million for a new terminal building, runway expansion and corporate
hangars. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners has not yet
approved the projects. The FAA is set to contribute to the runway
expansion more than $70 million.
Basu argued both industrial and commercial developments tend to
improve local bottom lines rather than diminish them.
Ed Mitchell said he built a new home near the airport about five
months ago and he's now worried he made a mistake. He fears a long
wait should he try to sell his home any time soon.
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