ADRIAN — A quiet oversight could have loud consequences: many local governments in Lenawee County don’t realize airport zoning rules can override their own.
During this week’s Airport Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, members highlighted a major disconnect — cities and townships within a 10-mile radius of the airport often aren’t aware they’re subject to aviation-based land use restrictions.
The concern surfaced during discussion of a recent tower application, which avoided board review only because it landed outside the jurisdiction. Officials say once the airport zoning ordinance is fully updated, they’ll notify nearby municipalities about the limitations tied to flight paths and runway proximity.
The outreach campaign aims to prevent future missteps as development picks up around Adrian and beyond — ensuring planners know where the airspace ends and the zoning starts.
Once finalized, the ordinance will trigger a formal notice to all affected local governments in the airport zone.