Aviators Told of Nut Tree's Coming Phase

Aviators Told of Nut Tree's Coming Phase
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
TheReporter.Com

Local aviators got a look Thursday night at future developments around the Nut Tree Airport.

In a joint workshop with the Solano Airport Land Use Commission and the Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee, a proposal for phase II of the Nut Tree Village was shown off.

Fred Buderi, Vacaville city planner, and Brad LaRue, of Snell and Co., were on hand to show the two groups, who were in a rare meeting together, a concept of the next construction to take place on the Nut Tree property.

"We are happy to get together and meet each other," the commission chair, John Foster, told the group. "This is a great opportunity to have everyone included."

Both sides promptly had questions as Buderi and LaRue began their presentation in regard to the 10 acres of condominiums, apartments and office buildings that are penciled in near the Nut Tree Airport runway.

The residences would form an L-shape wrapping from west of Best Buy, northward, and then east toward the amusement park. The proposed office buildings would be adjacent to the residences, with a parking lot as a buffer to the airstrip.

One of the biggest issues the group had was encroachment. Foster first brought up the issue of a possibility that the new construction may interfere with instrument approaches by aircraft. Instrument approaches assist pilots in guiding planes during bad weather or darkness.

Foster told the developers this issue is important to remember while discussing how tall and close the buildings can be built, warning they could interfere with those landings. The idea of an area for emergency landing was also stressed.

ALUC board member John Potter was curious if there were to be any access to the businesses and amusement park as the project grew. Buderi said although in the past there was access directly from the airport, anything other than paths to and from the property weren't a likely option.

Noise issues were also a concern as the residences would be directly between the airport and Interstate 80.

"It would be a great place for a home for the deaf," Dave Aronson, with the Solano Pilots Association, said.

The groups asked to see more detailed plans in the future.

"It's like you are looking at a small picture of the big puzzle," Foster said.

Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.