Airport expansion affects 4 landowners

Four landowners in Tooele County face condemnation of some of their property as Salt Lake City works to expand an airport it runs there.

The Salt Lake City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to initiate eminent-domain proceedings on three parcels of land bordering the Tooele Valley Airport in Erda. The parcels belong to three separate landowners. In March, the city council started the same process on two parcels owned by Six Mile Ranch.

The airport, also known as Bolinder Field and Salt Lake Airport No. 3, is run by the city's Department of Airports. The department has received federal money for an instrument-landing system that will allow flight-school and other general-aviation aircraft to land in Tooele, rather than using valuable airspace at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

The federal funding must be used by October. Installation of the system requires buffers, air rights and other use of land bordering the airport.

The plan has been criticized by some of the affected landowners, who say the city isn't offering them enough for their property.

Councilwoman Jill Remington Love said the council still hopes to continue voluntary negotiations with the landowners for their properties, "but because of the timing, we need to go ahead with these resolutions."

The land the city needs all borders the airport, and no one will have to move from their homes.