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Nut Tree Airport News |
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AIRPORT LAND USE COMMISSION SHAKE UP BY LOCAL MAYORS OVER WAL-MART. Tonight, according to the Vacaville Reporter, our own John Foster, chairman
for the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) will probably be removed. This could
be the beginning of the end for this meaningful commission and it's important
work. The affect of removing John is not known but the reasons are clear. The
Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine, Suisun's Mayor Pete Sanchez and Fairfield's Mayor
Harry Price want him out due to the unfavorable ruling over a Super Wal-Mart.
Snell pulls plug on Nut Tree project Phase II. Giving little information about the reasons behind an abrupt turnaround, the Snell company has suspended plans to proceed with phase II of the Nut Tree project. AIRPORT ADVOCACY GROUP ORGANIZING Giving little information about the reasons behind an abrupt turnaround, the Snell company has suspended plans to proceed with phase II of the Nut Tree project.
The "Friends of the Nut Tree Airport", an airport support group, is currently organizing. The group is a grass-roots organization of a variety of people from Northern California. All hold one main interest, to protect and promote the Nut Tree Airport. For more information click on the "Friends of the Nut Tree Airport" Tab above. |
Nut Tree Airport
Forum
SUPERVISORS COME TO CONCLUSION THAT THE NUT TREE AIRPORT IS IMPORTANT. WILL BE A MAJOR LOBBY EFFORT IN FUTURE.... GO TO FRIENDS OF NUT TREE AIRPORT FOR MORE INFORMATION.
MEETING NOTICE! The City of Vacaville will present a briefing concerning the Snell Phase II
development on May 10, 2007. It is a public meeting.... The agenda states
"workshop" and it will involve Q&As. 7:00pm.. Click the button
ENCROACHMENT COMING? The Nut Tree Airport is currently being threatened by building within the city of Vacaville. The Snell Nut Tree project, Phase II, may become the next encroachment issue for our local airport. A density of 14.5 residental units per acre, the proposed project currently being evaluated by Vacaville planners, may satisfy the minimums of the regulations but it is not a good idea. Both public safety and noise issues should be considered by city staff prior to project acceptance. The current density limits for the area (18/acre) was derived from a project promoted by the Eden Group(sp). That 2001 project was to involve acreage on the west, north west, south west, south and southwest borders of the airport. It was to include golf courses, public parks, recreational areas, the Nut Tree properties and other projects. The area was originally zoned for 3-4 units per acre. Too little for a developer to profit. To increase the density in the one area (Nut Tree) all the other areas were destined to have no structures. The project never materialized but the Airport Land Use Commission voted for the increased density as planned in the project as a part of the review process.. In the meantime buildings have sprung up at the north west and west borders of the airport. We urge the ALUC and the County Resource Management Division to get off the mark and look into this for review. ed. |
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NUT TREE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
September 12, 2007 All contruction has stopped at the airport. The securiy gates are in, all ramp and taxiway construction is finished until further notice. Plans for further construction are on hold and Airport Manager Andy Swanson has not updated this site for some months. More to follow as information is made available. April 26, 2007 - Security gates getting final check-out....According to Andy Swanson, Airport manager, Honeywell is testing and finalizing the security gate operation and will soon be ready to certify that it is usable. We can all expect to receive an entry card in the mail. You will need to show proof of automobile insurance to use a security entry card. More later..... Wash Rack is up and running. The county staff reports to me that they are replacing the nozzle but the users are taking them at an alarming rate. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE NOOZLE FROM THE HOSE END. IF YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PERSONAL NOOZLE, PUT THE AIRPORT NOOZLE BACK WHEN DONE.. COME ONE PEOPLE!!!! April 17, 2007 -Paving is complete for Airport County Road. Paving has been completed and parking striping is planed for this week. We have a new parking lot, sidewalks, ADA compliant entry, a new entryway, and security fencing is being finalized during the next week or two. Great Job Andy and the crew from Ghilloti. March 30, 2007 -Nut Tree Airport ramp construction is completed. New tie-downs are installed, the wash-rack is installed and working. Andy Swanson's latest notice to renters and interested parties advised that the Airport Road project is finishing up with connection of water and utilities slated for Monday April 2, 2007. NO WATER SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THAT DAY TO THE ENTIRE AIRPORT.... Temporary porta-potties will be located near the parking lot. Also the parking lot will be closed beginning Monday, April 2, 2007. Paving will commense during the week of April 2. The sidewalks and gutters are in and work is progressing. New pedestrian gates have been installed at several locations, at the end of all hangar rows and elsewhere. These are security gates with a code. If you have received notice you know the code. New Pictures are due April 1, 2007.
The new water service for future development of the airport lands will be installed during the airport road re-paving. If rains do not delay the project, it should be completed in another 60-90 days according to Mr. Swanson. June 16, 2005 Solano County Supervisors Vote to Purchase Land, Maybe... Supervisors Duane Kromm and Barbara Kondylis voted against the board pulling 1.8 million from the general fund to purchase 15.6 acres. The land is just north of the airport property and directly adjacent to it. It boarders Monte Vista Avenue. The land is reported to be more valuable than the agreed price. The county counsel's office, however, believes that the 3-2 vote lacks the necessary 4 votes required to transfer the funds and purchase the property. Duane Kromm reportedly said that it was too risky a venture to loan the airport funds with the hope of recouping the money later in the form of a Federal Aviation Administration grant. Many question Kromm's reasoning. What kind of risk is involved when the county is loaning money to the county. Also, the price paid is less than market, and will only increase in value. What risk? Comments from Supervisor Vasquez indicate that he expects the item to come back to the supervisors again. Supervisor Vasquez supported the measure.. The property in question would be one of the last opportunities that the county would have tp increase the size of the airport grounds. A new breath of life would be given the plans to attract more airport businesses, hangars and public uses. June 10, 2005 CHARLIE AYERS DIES FAMILIAR FACE TO ALL AT NUT TREE AIRPORT
Funeral Services for CHARLIE
AYERS, longtime airport
maintenance worker were on June
10, at the Milton
Carpenter Funeral Parlor in
Dixon.
Charlie could always be found atop a lawn mower or tracter at VCB. His large frame and white hair and beard were hard to miss. He got alot of sun and many of us worried for him when the heat of summer burnt his face. He always had a greeting for me and a wave and smile. He was a good listener and did all he could to keep us all happy. We have missed seeing him since his retirement. Now we will miss him more. Happy landings Charlie. May 18, 2005
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NUT TREE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT/ On December 9th the long awaited Nut Tree Airport Operational Review was presented to the Solano County board of Supervisors. The 127 page document is the result of a $30,000 review by Aviation Management Consulting Group. The AMCG consulting group produced the document at the request of the County Administrative Office earlier in 2003. The "goal in initiation this management/operational review was to determine specific actions that need to take place at the airport to improve its customer service, functionality and overall management", according to the submittal attached to the document. The document outlines "Number one, two and three ranked priorities". Many of the short commings mentioned in the report were considered "old news" to most Nut Tree renters, hanger owners and business managers. The report did validate what Nut Tree tenents and others have been airport telling airport staff, aviation advisory committee and County leadership for years. The report will be read and acted on within 30 days by the Solano Board of Supervisors. The local press has featured the report and comments from many of our local aviators have been published. If you would like to read the entire report, hit the highlighted title below. More to follow. Nut Tree Airport Management/Operationl Review NUT TREE DEVELOPER TO ASK FOR RUNWAY INTRUSION
Representatives from Snell & Company, the prime developers of
the Nut Tree properties, will ask the county for permission to build closer to
the active runway than the FAA currently permits. Building structures
closer to the runway will require sound limit changes as well as changes or
eliminations to approach configurations. IFR approaches would be
jeopardized as well. The Solano Pilot's Association, a local group that
supports the airport and aviation in the county, opposes this move and plans to
hold meetings with the developer as well as the airport advisory committee
during the next few weeks. (Oct 21, 2003) COFFEE TREE CLOSES Members of the Fairchild family and a representative of the Power family notified the Vacaville Reporter that the last vestige of the well known Nut Tree will close in November. The popular Coffee Tree restaurant has been an icon along I-80 for many decades. The family advised the Reporter that it was forced to close the restaurant due to the deteriorating condition of the facility and the high cost of renovation.. On November 5th, the Coffee Tree Restaurant served it's last meal. Ed Power reported that on November 6th they held a celebration for the "regular customers" and employees. It was a sad and emotional event for all those who had experienced the years of service that the restaurant had performed. No word on the future of the building or site has been received. NUT TREE COMPLEX DEMOLISHED
During the first week of October the wrecking ball began the depressing job of demolishing the old Nut Tree Restaurant complex. Many artifacts were given to the Vacaville Museum over the past few years. The heritage of the Nut Tree and the impact that the business had on the community is adequately recorded archived. There are many fine restaurants and very nice shopping in the area. Much more than was present when the Nut Tree was last open. This web site will chronicle the development of the grounds. Tune in regularly. Ed CORPORATE HANGERS HAVE POWER, Finally!! Power has finally been delivered to the 8 corporate hangers that were built in 2002. These hanger owners have been operating without power for a year. Everyone seems happy now..
OVER 50 APPLICANTS RECEIVED FOR Upon the leaving of John Swizer from his position of Airport Manager, Charles Jones has been acting as the interim Airport Manager. According to sources, over 50 applications have been received for the position and the interviews are underway. No information has been forthcoming on the progress of the interviews. Word has been recieved that the interviewers have not found a replacement out of the intial pool of applicants. LAST JIMMY DOOLITTLE REUNION AT NUT TREE DOOLITTLE RAIDERS REUNION APRIL 17, 2003 Maybe the last chance to meet and visit with the remaining members of the Raiders. They will be here during the Doolittle Raiders Reunion from April 16-19, 2003. Come out and see at least 5 B-25 aircraft, have a great lunch and visit your local airport. Tickets for the lunch can be purchased at the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce.
Go to: www.jimmydoolittlereunion.co NO WASH RACK AT NUT TREE...........YET For those of you who have wondered why airplanes at the Nut Tree Airport are so dirty. For those people who have come out to seek flight instruction to find the training fleet to be covered with a layer of dirt. WE HAVE NO WASH RACK AT THE NUT TREE AIRPORT. Why? I guess it is an environmental problem that led to the dismantling of the wash area to the north of the tarmac, just to the west of that eyesore portable shed that houses county equipment. John Swizer advised the Solano Pilots Association that Federal Grant money was allocated for the project. He also stated that the money would not be released as the project is considered "low priority". The Solano Pilot's Association membership voted to send a letter of request to the Airport Manager and County Supervisors as soon as possible. It is not a matter of low priority to the local hanger renters and owners, corporate hanger owners, fixed base operator, or aircraft owners. It is especially not a low priority to the many "tie-down" renters who collect the most environmental affects on their costly aircraft. To them, it is necessary to wash off the contaminants that collect, to protect their investments. More later, when we hear back from the airport manager. If you would like to voice your own request for a wash rack, please call the manager at (707) 446-0322. CITY OF VACAVILLE POISED TO TAKE 50% CONTROL OF AIRPORT John Thompson, Vacaville City Manager, stated in an article published in the Vacaville Reporter, that the city wanted to exchange some Solano County housing requirements for an equal say in the future of the airport. This would be a big change in planning procedure as well as the direction of our airport's future.
NEW RUNWAY EXTENSION COMPLETE!!!!!!!!
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