HUMBOLDT - While it appears one hurdle is out of the way, area officials believe it could take years for a proposed cargo airport to take shape in parts of Schuylkill and Luzerne counties.
"There are so many laws and regulations they would have to fulfill," East Union Township Supervisor Jon Dettery said of Gladstone Partners' plans to build the airport on 4,500 acres spanning East Union, Kline and Hazle townships.
On Thursday, the Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board granted a special exception request to Gladstone for the cargo airport. The Pittsburgh firm announced plans to build the airport in 2007 and applied for the special exception in 2009.
But before the application is granted, Gladstone must meet several conditions.
Dettery said he was "disgusted" by the decision and said the township would file an appeal through attorney Donald G. Karpowich.
Karpowich said the appeal will be based on Gladstone's failure to get a permit from the state Department of Transportation before it filed a zoning application, and not showing plans for parking as required by a county ordinance. He also maintained that jurisdiction should have fallen with the township's - not the county's - zoning board.
With plans in the works for several years, Dettery said he can't understand Gladstone's persistence, especially because the firm will need to follow so many rules and regulations.
"I just don't see it getting off the ground," he said.
Calls to attorney Frederick Fanelli, who is representing Gladstone, were not immediately returned Friday.
While East Union Township is fighting the plans, Donna Palermo, president of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber surveyed its members in 2007 and found that most were in favor of the cargo airport. Members, however, voiced project-related concerns about increased taxes, noise and wear-and-tear on the local infrastructure.
"Our board's consensus was that although the membership's majority was in favor of the airport, no official position could be taken by the board because of the many concerns that were stated by the membership," Palermo said.
She said she can't predict whether the project will go forward.
"I really can't say for sure but all indication is that Greg Zappala of Gladstone is putting a lot of money into this project with assistance from former Gov. Tom Ridge's consulting firm, Ridge Global," Palermo said.
Some of the conditions Gladstone must meet include building a road from the airport to Interstate 81 and providing emergency services at the airport.
"I'm sure it will take a number of years to get a new interchange built, environmental clearances, et cetera. They also will be required to conduct public hearings. It could certainly take many, many years," Palermo said.
Hazle Township Supervisor Andy Benyo wasn't at Thursday's hearing but is familiar with the proposed project.
Unlike East Union Township, which has been fighting the plans for years, Hazle officials met just once with Gladstone representatives, Benyo recalls.
The meeting, he said, was "many moons ago" when Gladstone officials spelled out their plans for the airport.
"That was the only thing we had," Benyo said.
The bulk of the airport would be in East Union Township. If the project goes forward, Benyo isn't sure if Hazle supervisors will have an opportunity to review and approve plans.
"It might go with the (township) zoning board. Whether it will come before us, I'm not sure," he said.
Benyo guessed that it would be some time before work would begin.
"It's been going on for quite some time," he said. "There is so much paperwork, so much that has to be done before anything can start. It will be a couple years before something gets going."
The issue has been in Schuylkill County court for several months. In September 2011, a county judge rejected East Union's argument that its zoning board should decide the case instead of the county. In May, the board heard from residents who were concerned about the impact the airport would have on the area's quality of life.
East Union has 30 days from the date of the written decision to file an appeal.