Two new buildings would house fixed-wing aircraft.
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY Princeton Airport went before the township Planning Board on Monday seeking to build two hangars as well as add a 3,300-square-foot second story on an existing one-story office building.
The board could not vote on the application, which is part of the airport’s buildout plan, because of missing or late paperwork from the applicant. But Planning Board Chair Steve Sacks-Wilner kept the application on the agenda because of anticipated public interest.
The application will again come before the Planning Board at its May 23 meeting.
No members of the public attended Monday’s meeting, which outlined the airport’s application to place two fixed-wing hangars on the western portion of the property, totaling 24,460 square feet.
The application, Mayor Louise Wilson explained, is to complete the airport’s buildout consistent with last year’s approval of an on-site, 24,426-square-foot medical building.
"It eliminates what would be a helicopter hangar and makes it a fixed-wing hangar," Mayor Wilson said, adding the overall noise impact would likely be lessened with this option.
The mayor said the proposed design would establish a line to the west, beyond which helicopters would not be permitted. "Overall, we think it’s a good thing, because it keeps helicopters off the west side of the airport, and it doesn’t permit more hangar space," the mayor explained.
Following the meeting, Mr. Sacks-Wilner said, "Anytime the airport is in, I always expect a lot of residents."
The expanded hangar space one is proposed to be 12,960 square feet and the other 11,500 square feet would not markedly increase noise around the airport, said an expert hired by the airport.
The increased noise "should be unnoticeable," said Lewis Goodfriend, a consultant hired by the airport to evaluate the noise impact.
Surrounding residences include homes in Cherry Hill Estates and along Copper Vail Court. The Yorkshire and the Woods Edge communities are located to the south of the airport.
Listening from Copper Vail Court, an aircraft in taxi mode from the proposed hangar would generate about 61 decibels, said Mr. Goodfriend. That level, he said, is similar to speech at a few feet.
"The change in sound level can be subjectively described as barely noticeable" to people, said a report submitted to the board by Mr. Goodfriend.
But township professionals suggested that the board should possibly consider hiring a noise expert for another opinion.
Thomas Hall, an attorney representing the airport, said if that becomes the case, it could cause a "substantial delay" in the application. Mr. Hall said that previous testimony indicates the primary sources of noise disturbance stem from aircraft on the runway or in flight.
The airport, which encompasses 93 acres, is owned by Princeton Aero Corp.

