The Nashua, N.H., zoning board of adjustment has rejected a plan for residential development that would have encroached on Boire Field.
The proposal would have placed 52 apartments about 3,000 feet from the approach end of Runway 32, introducing potential conflict between the airport and nearby residents. Local pilots and on-airport business owners led efforts to fight the proposed development, and more than 100 of them came out to support the airport at the meeting Oct. 27. Airport manager Roy Rankin said the group that showed up to oppose the three-story, multi-family development was the biggest turnout he has seen in many years in support of Boire Field.
AOPA and AOPA Airport Support Network Volunteer Graham Smith have been following the issue, and AOPA wrote to the zoning board to request that it not approve the development in order to better protect the airport and the community.
"While there is significant residential development already in place, the addition of 52 more families directly under the approach and departure path at an active general aviation airport is a poor application of public policy," wrote AOPA Manager of Airport Policy John Collins.
