Lifestyle

Twin Cities Man Accused Of Operating Private Airport In Field Behind His Home – WCCO


MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — An Afton man is dealing with a number of expenses for having an airstrip on his property.

Jeffrey Walker, 57, faces 5 misdemeanor counts in Washington County for violating town’s restrictions for airstrips.

The airstrip in query is 2,200-feet lengthy and was constructed by Walker himself — just a few hundred yards from his home. Whereas he didn’t need to discuss on digicam, Walker, a licensed pilot, mentioned flying is his pastime and he constructed the airstrip in 2003 for private use.

Investigators say Walker included his airfield with the Minnesota Secretary of State below the names Walker Subject LLC and Prime Gun Aviation, and it seems on MapQuest and different navigation web sites.

The runway is clearly seen from the air, and prosecutors say it’s listed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a non-public airport. Walker believes the FAA recognition offers him the precise to have the airfield on his property, however the metropolis disagrees.

(credit score: CBS)

Town mentioned Walker is in violation of two Afton ordinances: one prohibits personal airfields inside metropolis limits, and the opposite prohibits airplanes from taking off and touchdown throughout the metropolis.

Town administrator mentioned they’ve obtained a number of complaints from neighbors over the previous yr, citing noise and security considerations. In expenses filed in Washington County, prosecutors mentioned planes had been witnessed taking off and touchdown in April and once more in early October.

Neighbor Rodney Eggers moved into the neighborhood a yr and a half in the past. He mentioned he’s solely heard the planes a pair instances.

“Each as soon as in an awesome whereas, it’s not prefer it’s each different day or one thing. It’s by no means actually bothered me. He’s received sufficient land there. It’s his land. He can do it if he desires,” Eggers mentioned. “It’s a bit of loud, however after, you recognize, a pair minutes it’s up within the air and that’s it.”

Afton’s metropolis administrator mentioned they obtained complaints about Walker’s airstrip 10 years in the past, as nicely.



Source link

news7h

News7h: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button