Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Quay County commissioners heard no objections Monday to a proposed subdivision on the south side of Ute Lake near Logan that combines housing and plane hangars with two airport runways for residents who fly private planes.
Air Park at Ute Lake off Lake Ranch Road north of U.S. 54 will contain 59 lots for hangar homes plus 2,600-foot-long grass runway and a 3,600-foot asphalt runway that bisect the subdivision. A public hearing for the proposed subdivision was required during the commission’s regular meeting Monday.
Chad Lydick of Clovis, an engineer and designer for the project, said the project is “innovative and generate a lot of excitement.” He said separate water lines from the village of Logan for fire protection and domestic use will be laid to the subdivision, and the project would cause no drainage problems.
Sid Strebeck, one of the principals of Air Park at Ute Lake, said four hangar homes are “ready to start” construction.
County Manager Richard Primose said it appeared the county would be ready to approve a preliminary plat of the project by its next meeting May 28. He said the subdivision also received favorable reaction from several state agencies he’d contacted. County approval of a final plat is required before construction.
Commissioner Sue Dowell, while voicing approval of the subdivision, said she wanted to ensure the commission follows proper procedures so “we don’t get ourselves in trouble” in the future. After perusing county ordinances and citing “preliminary plat data requirements,” Primrose said later in the meeting he thought the county was complying with its laws and processes.
In other business, the county commission:
• Approved a $1,911 grant application request from Sheriff Russell Shafer to buy four intoxication meters for deputies’ use. Shafer said the meters, which detect drunken or impaired driving, are admissible in court as sobriety field tests and work more quickly than other devices.
• Approved a resolution request from Road Superintendent Larry Moore to apply for money in the Local Government Transportation Project Fund two replace two aging bridges on old Route 66 near San Jon for $6.2 million. Moore said $50 million available in the state fund is awarded on a competitive basis. He said the two bridges have been on a high-priority list for replacement for years.
• Approved a resolution request from Primrose to apply for a $50,000 planning grant from the state for a possible new two-mile road between 12 Shores Golf Club and Logan.
• Approved a road-construction materials contract with Desert West Enterprises of Roswell. Moore said the company has a “microseal” road-resurfacing method that may prove beneficial for certain projects. Moore said it might be used for Quay Road 63, which resident Scott Bidegain said in the public comment portion of the meeting that sections of the road are collapsing. Moore said Desert West wouldn’t be used for all road projects, as the cost of the microseal method remains unknown, but it would give the county another option for repairs.
• Moore said county workers were eyeing repairs to Quay Road AD because trucks are using it as an alternate route between U.S. 54 and Interstate 40. He said he hopes to have repairs finished to that road by June.
• Carmen Runyan, director of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce, said she wants an electronic marquee in front of her building on Route 66 in Tucumcari and would request $2,000 from the county for that project.
The chamber office uses an “old-school” marquee, but the sign backing and letters are falling apart, she said. Runyan’s preliminary checks indicate an electronic marquee would cost $20,000 to $30,000 and require little maintenance. She is looking for grants to pay for part of the cost. Runyan said her idea was met with approval from City Manager Britt Lusk.
Commissioners didn’t take action on Runyan’s initial request, as her proposal came during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
• Commissioners went into closed executive session to discuss pending or threatened litigation and limited personnel matters. No action was taken after closed meeting.