The McCall Area Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday rejected a new zone for the McCall Airport that would have allowed buildings up to 60 feet tall.
The commission voted 5-0 to recommend no zone change to the McCall City Council.
The rezone application brought several people to the meeting at McCall City Hall to oppose the rezone until the city rewrites its comprehensive land-use plan and airport master plan this summer.
Most of the protests were on the proposed zone's 60-foot height limit. The airport is currently zoned industrial, which allows a 50-foot building height.
Commission Chair Bob Youde said he did not believe that the current comprehensive land-use plan allowed the rezoning.
"If it is not based on an existing comprehensive plan, if it is not legal it is certainly inconsistent with state law and ahead of the curve," Youde said.
The comprehensive plan, last updated in 2000, does contain an airport master plan as apart of it, Community Planner Steve Hasson said. The city created an airport zone last year when it revamped its code.
This was the second time that the airport zone has come before the P&Z. The panel reviewed the proposal at its March 6 meeting, but could not reach agreement.
During the March 6 meeting, it was noted that the proposed zone would make it easier for McCall Aviation's plan to build a new hangar.
Without the change, McCall Aviation would have to ask the city for variances on height and setback.
"I'm concerned that if this zoning change goes through, the public loses some opportunity for review," Larry Shake of McCall said. "We need to consider what a 60 foot building will do to Deinhard."
"We're all worried about the stars shining down in the city of McCall, but we ought to be worried about where the sun is going to come from," Shake said.
"I am not against rezoning the airport to an airport zone, but I do think it is premature to do so at this time," Community Voice spokesman Curt Mack said.
"I think it makes common sense to let the community have a chance to express their wishes about the airport before we rezone it," Mack said.
Commissioner Phil Feinberg took time out of the discussion to chastise community
