Port of Portland Public Comment
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To: Port of Portland testimony@portofportland.com
Cc: Oregon Air Outreach action@oregonair.org
Subject: Request for Intervention on DR-044-25 (Sky Harbour Hangars)
Cc: Oregon Air Outreach action@oregonair.org
Subject: Request for Intervention on DR-044-25 (Sky Harbour Hangars)
Dear Port Commissioners,
I am writing regarding the Hillsboro Airport Sky Harbour Hangar proposal, referenced as Case File No. DR-044-25 (Sky Harbour Hangars) with the City of Hillsboro. Under ORS 778, the Port Commission retains ultimate authority over Port actions, and Ordinance 413R delegates — but does not surrender — decision-making authority. I am therefore requesting Commission intervention regarding this project for the following reasons:
• Lack of Public Notice
• Significant Noise Impacts
• Significant Air Quality Impacts
• Adverse health Impacts
• Lack of Environmental Review
• Significant Property Value Impacts.
The Port is estimating flight activity using a multiplier of 1.26, based on the slowest Sky Harbour airports in the U.S. However, given Hillsboro’s location and demand, a more realistic multiplier is 3 or 4. Using 3, Phase 1 would see 9–13 takeoffs and landings per day, and Phase 2 would see 16–30 per day. This is a dramatic change from the daily averate 3-6 private-jet events we experience today.
If approved, this project will significantly lower property values and create noise and air-quality impacts across Washington County and parts of Clackamas County. If only Phase 1 occurs, the resulting noise and ultrafine-particle pollution would reduce nearby residential property values by 1%–3% per home. Across affected neighborhoods in the approach, take-off, and downwind corridors, this represents a loss of $20 million to $120 million in residential value. This would decrease Washington County’s annual property-tax revenue by an estimated $250,000 to $1.4 million. If Phase 2 occurs, property-value loss is estimated at 3%–5% per home, totaling $60–$300 million, reducing County property-tax revenue by $700,000–$3.6 million annually.
Approximately 15,000–20,000 residents live in these corridors, yet none received mailed notices. They are unaware of this project and effectively do not have a voice in this process — yet they will be some of the most impacted. Expecting all residents to monitor the City or Airport website is unreasonable, especially for those who live far from the airport.
A significant risk of inverse-condemnation claims would also be created under this proposal given the lack of notification and the clear potential for property-value loss. Airport-related case law frequently favors plaintiffs in situations where noise and pollution increase without adequate notice. If private-jet landings and take-offs rise to predicted levels, likelihood of such claims increases substantially.
Please halt this project until the following items are addressed:
• Reevaluate the multiplier and provide full justification for the selected value.
• Provide a formal estimate of the number of daily private-jet landings and take-offs for each phase
• Include a clear statement of any cap on the number of daily landings and take-offs by jets
• Require Sky Harbour to fund a full environmental and health impact analysis, including noise and air-quality modeling for affected residential areas, based on projected daily flight activity for each phase and at full build-out.
• Perform an independent analysis of the expected impact on property values for residents in the approach and takeoff corridors due to increased jet activity for each phase and at full build out
• Provide transparent communication to all residents in the approach, takeoff, and downwind corridors. This communication should summarize, in clear and accessible language, the expected noise and air-pollution impacts as well as the potential effects on property values. Impacted residents must then be given a formal opportunity to express support or objection.
• Ensure that any decision to move forward, alter, or cancel the project is substantially informed and heavily weighted by input of impacted residents.
This project will reshape the daily lives of thousands of Washington County residents. We need representation, information, and a meaningful voice in the process. Thank you for any help and support you can give to this matter.
Sincerely,
I am writing regarding the Hillsboro Airport Sky Harbour Hangar proposal, referenced as Case File No. DR-044-25 (Sky Harbour Hangars) with the City of Hillsboro. Under ORS 778, the Port Commission retains ultimate authority over Port actions, and Ordinance 413R delegates — but does not surrender — decision-making authority. I am therefore requesting Commission intervention regarding this project for the following reasons:
• Lack of Public Notice
• Significant Noise Impacts
• Significant Air Quality Impacts
• Adverse health Impacts
• Lack of Environmental Review
• Significant Property Value Impacts.
The Port is estimating flight activity using a multiplier of 1.26, based on the slowest Sky Harbour airports in the U.S. However, given Hillsboro’s location and demand, a more realistic multiplier is 3 or 4. Using 3, Phase 1 would see 9–13 takeoffs and landings per day, and Phase 2 would see 16–30 per day. This is a dramatic change from the daily averate 3-6 private-jet events we experience today.
If approved, this project will significantly lower property values and create noise and air-quality impacts across Washington County and parts of Clackamas County. If only Phase 1 occurs, the resulting noise and ultrafine-particle pollution would reduce nearby residential property values by 1%–3% per home. Across affected neighborhoods in the approach, take-off, and downwind corridors, this represents a loss of $20 million to $120 million in residential value. This would decrease Washington County’s annual property-tax revenue by an estimated $250,000 to $1.4 million. If Phase 2 occurs, property-value loss is estimated at 3%–5% per home, totaling $60–$300 million, reducing County property-tax revenue by $700,000–$3.6 million annually.
Approximately 15,000–20,000 residents live in these corridors, yet none received mailed notices. They are unaware of this project and effectively do not have a voice in this process — yet they will be some of the most impacted. Expecting all residents to monitor the City or Airport website is unreasonable, especially for those who live far from the airport.
A significant risk of inverse-condemnation claims would also be created under this proposal given the lack of notification and the clear potential for property-value loss. Airport-related case law frequently favors plaintiffs in situations where noise and pollution increase without adequate notice. If private-jet landings and take-offs rise to predicted levels, likelihood of such claims increases substantially.
Please halt this project until the following items are addressed:
• Reevaluate the multiplier and provide full justification for the selected value.
• Provide a formal estimate of the number of daily private-jet landings and take-offs for each phase
• Include a clear statement of any cap on the number of daily landings and take-offs by jets
• Require Sky Harbour to fund a full environmental and health impact analysis, including noise and air-quality modeling for affected residential areas, based on projected daily flight activity for each phase and at full build-out.
• Perform an independent analysis of the expected impact on property values for residents in the approach and takeoff corridors due to increased jet activity for each phase and at full build out
• Provide transparent communication to all residents in the approach, takeoff, and downwind corridors. This communication should summarize, in clear and accessible language, the expected noise and air-pollution impacts as well as the potential effects on property values. Impacted residents must then be given a formal opportunity to express support or objection.
• Ensure that any decision to move forward, alter, or cancel the project is substantially informed and heavily weighted by input of impacted residents.
This project will reshape the daily lives of thousands of Washington County residents. We need representation, information, and a meaningful voice in the process. Thank you for any help and support you can give to this matter.
Sincerely,