Public hearing to be held on runway access

Merritt City Council have approved first and second reading of an Official Community Plan amendment with regards to taxi-way access to the airport.

The amendment was proposed by the Airport Advisory Committee last year.

“In March 2020, the Airport Advisory Committee recommended to Council that Council direct staff to research and prepare an amendment to the Official Community Plan that would allow runway access from properties on the West Side,” said Director of Corporate Services Greg Lowis.

Access from the west side was prohibited back in 2002 at the direction of the local flying club.

“Due to the Flying Club’s concerns, on July 23^rd, 2002, Council resolved to inform the applicant that west-side access would be refused based on that information. In 2004, the line stating this as Council policy was written into the Official Community Plan,” added Lowis.

The local flying community, through the Airport Committee are now in favour of allowing the change and thus the amendment will move to a public hearing.

No date has been set for the hearing.