City efforts to develop housing near the Dane County Regional Airport are being hindered by the arrival of F-35 fighter jets to Truax Field, the Wisconsin State Journal reports, as discord regarding land use rises between Madison and airport officials.
The proposed Raemisch Farm development, which would add 900 housing units, is facing potentially years-long delays due to F-35 noise and a 74-year-old deed restriction the airport has on the property.
A noise study that looked at the impact of the F-35s, which are louder than the F-16s they replaced, found that a large area surrounding the airport is considered incompatible with residential life, according to Federal Aviation Authority standards.
Federal rules also dictate that the airport is financially responsible for noise insulation in buildings exposed to problematic noise levels, which includes the Raemisch Farm site. County and airport officials have expressed concerns regarding the city’s push for more housing near the airport.
The airport is seeking broader authority under state law to formally object to more rezoning proposals if new boundaries for an “airport affected area” are expanded by the county. The city has not changed its official position.
