Temporary moratorium on new development around IF Airport

The city of Idaho Falls is considering putting a moratorium on new development in areas around the airport.

“The timing became such that we had to consider a moratorium to say, ‘Hold on. Timeout for a second. We really need to deal with this issue in an appropriate way and then come back to these applications,'” said Brad Cramer, director of community development services for Idaho Falls.

Idaho Falls Community Development Services is looking to make some changes around Idaho Falls Regional Airport. Pending approval by the Idaho Falls City Council, there will be a six-month moratorium on new development around certain areas at the ends of the airport runways.

“Those critical approach zones where the planes are taking off and landing, they’re low to the ground. They’re noisy. That’s where we’re focusing the moratorium,” Cramer said. “So the code that we’re working on will cover this entire area, but those areas are not as critical as here.”

Community Development Services decided to look at codes and land around the airport after it became aware that the Federal Aviation Administration is cracking down on land use surrounding airports for safety reasons. This moratorium only affects those looking to develop land in these areas. Those already living in the area do not need to worry.

“If you live in this moratorium area and you need to replace your water heater, that is not a problem. That permit is still fine,” Cramer said. “Those types of maintenance permits are not an issue at all. It’s really guarding against establishing new uses that we know are not compatible.”

During the moratorium, Community Development Services will make updates to codes and plans that are best for the airport and landowners.

“No. 1 is to write a code that matches what the airport master plan recommends to protect against the land uses that are incompatible,” Cramer said. “No. 2 is an amendment to our comprehensive plan. Our plan shows residential areas that it should not show residential. We need to address that, but we don’t want to do that on our own. So that’s why we’re going to work with landowners and figure out what makes the most sense.”

This moratorium does not include land in the county, just in the city limits. The City Council will vote on the moratorium at its meeting Thursday night. It will then have public outreach meetings during the week of Feb. 11. They will let the public know once a date is set.