SUNNYSIDE -- A retired farmer is forging ahead with two lawsuits against the city of Sunnyside in spite of recent growth regulations passed by the city council.
Don Padelford, who wants to build hundreds of homes on his property adjacent to the city-owned runway, said the new laws won't affect his goals.
"The courts are going to decide this," Padelford said.
After two years of debate, the Sunnyside City Council on Feb. 1 approved a sweeping list of development and land-use restrictions within 6,000 feet of the airport on the eastern edge of town.
City and economic development leaders want to preserve the area for future airport growth and one day extend the runway from its current length of 3,422 feet to 4,000 feet to attract larger planes. Critics say the growth won't materialize, and that even if it did, it will come at the expense of property rights.
Officials and residents have been haggling over the details for nearly two years.
The most contentious element in the new plan -- called the airport overlay -- establishes a 1,000-foot buffer zone between the runway and new houses, based on state and federal recommendations. Previous city law set the limit at 500 feet.
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UPDATE: Some Seattle flights canceled due to snow
UPDATE: Some Seattle flights canceled due to snow
Some flights at the Tri-Cities Airport to and from Seattle were affected by the snow.
Alaska Airlines canceled the flights expected to arrive in Pasco at 2:33 p.m. and to depart for Seattle at 3 p.m. today.
Another flight has been moved earlier, and is expected to arrive at the Tri-Cities Airport at 7:25 p.m.
Tri-Cities Airport anticipates expansion
Tri-Cities Airport anticipates expansion
A line of travelers heading for early morning flights snakes from security to the ticket counters.
It has become a common sight with growth at Pasco's Tri-Cities Airport.
The number of passengers boarding flights was up 6 percent last year, making it another record-setting year.
Port needs overhaul
Port needs overhaul
Since 2005, the Port of Kennewick appears to have become incapable of completing challenging projects such as the Spaulding Business Center and the stalled wine business center on the Tri-City Raceway property purchased by the port for $1.75 million. Instead of lobbying the Legislature to annex this property to West Richland to obtain the necessary utilities, the port wanted to waste $65,000 to change its name!
In other absurdity, port officials elected to keep the "nonairport" Vista Field Airport open in spite of the $60,000 consultant conclusion and without informing the local taxpayers of the possible financial consequences of operating at a loss.
Vista Airport is deemed an undersized and limited-use airport by the Federal Aviation Administration, and does not receive millions of dollars in grant money like the Richland ($13 million over the past 13 years ) and Pasco Airports do.
JCPenney eyes return to Yakima Valley
JCPenney eyes return to Yakima Valley
UNION GAP -- It looks like the Yakima Valley soon will be home to a second JCPenney department store.
While the retailer has yet to make an official announcement, the city of Union Gap received construction documents and an application for a building permit this week.
The plan is for JCPenney to be built at the former Costco site at 1400 E. Washington Ave.
Candy Mountain trail proposed
Candy Mountain trail proposed
Thousands of hikers who trek up Badger Mountain might have a new, nearby hill to climb.
Two private property owners plan to create a public trail for hikers and horseback riders on the peak next to Badger Mountain.
Mark L. Ufkes of Seattle and Robert Margulies of Richland say they are interested in developing some of their property while still protecting the environment and the contour of Candy Mountain.
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