Hangar owners urge review of 'commercial' utility classification that raises connection costs

Members and participants at a Hurricane Airport Board meeting pressed the board to review how privately owned hangars are classified for utility and impact-fee purposes, arguing current rules can make modest hangars disproportionately expensive to build and operate.

At the meeting, S2 said a hangar that functions like a large garage is being treated as a commercial connection, requiring a 200-amp service and higher sewer and impact fees. "If you're doing business on the airport, you should pay it all," S2 said, adding that for many private hangars a 125-amp service would be sufficient and far less costly.

S2 read a series of representative fees to illustrate the burden: the water connection for a 5/8" meter was recited as "2,157 plus the $550 plus $5,720," and S2 later cited a 200-amp power connection estimate and separate sewer and impact amounts. Board members noted that power and sewer connection sizing can drive higher equipment, permitting and monthly utility charges.

Attorney Hall (S11) reminded the group that the city's impact fees are set by ordinance and rely on an impact-fee facilities plan and analysis adopted pursuant to state statute. He said any change to classifications would require revisiting the adopted study and could shift costs to residential customers if not handled carefully.

Other members raised enforcement questions: S3 and others warned that a small hangar could later become a flight school or business, in which case commercial rates and licensing would be appropriate. S10 urged staff to ask the engineering and finance firms that prepare the impact-fee studies for the rationale behind current categorizations.

Board members directed that the issue is worth follow-up: they asked staff to seek clarification from the impact-fee analysts and to return with options and potential ordinance implications rather than adopting immediate policy changes.

The meeting did not change fees or adopt an ordinance; the discussion concluded with a request to consult the firms that prepared the impact-fee study and to bring findings back to the board for consideration.