SCRAA Passes Resolution Sets Public Hearing
An aerial view of the land that might be impacted by a new regional airport. (Oskaloosa News file photo)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The South Central Regional Airport Agency met Tuesday night with one item on their agenda.
According to Iowa Code, if an entity such as SCRAA is planning to acquire farm land, potentially by eminent domain, a public hearing must happen, putting the landowners on notice.
The public hearing is set for October 29th, at 6 pm inside the Pella Public Safety Building.
The hearing then allows the SCRAA to begin acquiring ground for the regional airport.
During the public comments on Tuesday night, three individuals took the opportunity to speak. Landowner John De Rooi took the opportunity to express his displeasure with the measure being considered.
DeRooi told the board, “I’m very concerned.”
“I’m involved in the highway and also the airport. The two go together. I’m very disappointed that you don’t take an interest in landowners that own the land for 130 years,” added DeRooi.
“It’s legalized theft is what it is,” DeRooi told the board. “I don’t appreciate it.”
“It’s not for sale,” added DeRooi in closing to the board.
The board passed a resolution to set a hearing on the intent to acquire agricultural property and authorize acquisition of the necessary property interests thereof from titleholders for property needed for the South Central Regional Airport Agency by gift, negotiation, or eminent domain.
