Aurora Airport Expansion

Land Use Issues
The Aurora State Airport is a WWII era airport now owned by Oregon Dept. of Aviation. Most of what is thought of as “Aurora Airport” is privately owned commercial property either within the airport fence, or “thru the fence” with direct access to the runway. In 2009 ODA launched a new master plan process which was all about coming up with a way to make the airport larger to accommodate corporate jets for the benefit of commercial interests at the airport. The master plan process was biased, used highly questionable data to justify runway extension, and did not comply with state land use law. The resulting so-called 2012 Master Plan has been disputed and legally challenged since its release. And as of Nov. 16, 2021, ODA is launching a new master planning process.

Aurora Airport Posts

One Thousand Friends-FOFP Supreme Court Response Brief

Following the submission of Petitions for Review to the Supreme Court by the Oregon Dept. of Aviation and the Intervenors (commercial interests at the airport), we (the original appellants in the Court of Appeals appeal) have the opportunity to submit our own response...

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Environmental Concerns at Aurora State Airport

Two significant environmental occurrences happened in October 2021 concerning Aurora Airport and its impacts on the citizens and lands surrounding it. Forever chemicals at Aurora Airport First, the Statesman Journal published an article on the 20th titled “EPA...

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LUBA Appeal(s) Status Update

The LUBA Appeal filed by FOFP against the letter from the Director of the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA) was dismissed by LUBA on Dec. 10, 2019, because “we conclude that the challenged decision is not a land use decision as defined in ORS 197.15(10)(1)(B).” The...

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Outside Money Comes in to Flip the Wilsonville City Council

One of the interesting events to observe in the past three years has been the number of times that the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce, and the leadership of the Aurora Airport Improvement Association, along with Ted Millar of TLM Holdings (owner of Southend Airpark...

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2020 State of Oregon Special Legislative Session Update

On Wednesday, August 11, in the second Special Session of 2020, the Legislature faced with a $1.2 Billion deficit due to lost revenue from the COVID-19 economic downturn cut the budgets of many important State government programs.. As reported in The Oregonian, most...

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News Coverage

Statesman Journal
State supreme court won't overturn ruling that halted Aurora Airport runway expansion

December 13, 2021

Aurora, Oregon Press Release
City of Aurora Wins Airport Ruling (Again)
December 10, 2021
Wilsonville Spokesman
Oregon Supreme Court Decides Not to Review Aurora Airport Case
December 9, 2021
Statesman Journal
EPA identifies more than 750 Oregon sites that could expose people to 'forever chemicals'

October 20, 2021

Wilsonville Spokesman
Wilsonville government appeals Aurora Airport decision to Oregon Court of Appeals
December 23, 2020
Statesman Journal
Controversial Aurora State Airport runway extension plan takes small step forward
December 19, 2020
Wilsonville Spokesman
Land Use Board of Appeals dismisses Aurora Airport case
December 16, 2020
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora Airport leaders pour money into Wilsonville election
October 5, 2020
OPB
Wilsonville candidates fight over Aurora airport — and Oregon’s land use laws
October 5, 2020
Statesman Journal
Two cities, two land-use advocacy groups sue to challenge Aurora Airport expansion
June 26, 2020
Statesman Journal
Law Suits Stack Up Over Aurora Airport
March 10, 2020
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora Airport master plan under dispute
May 14, 2019
Wilsonville Spokesman
Wilsonville Contests Airport Expansion
August 15, 2018
Press Release
Citizens of Aurora Meet to oppose HB 4092 – Controversial Aurora Airport Land Use bill
January 31, 2018
Wilsonville Spokesman
Airport improvements benefits few
January 31, 2018
Wilsonville Spokesman
A Letter of Concern
January 16, 2018
Wilsonville Spokesman
Santa Monica Airport to Close Dec. 12 For 10 Days; Will Reopen With Shorter Runway
November 21, 2017
Wilsonville Spokesman
Santa Monica Airport will close in 2028 and be replaced by a park, officials say
January 2017
Wilsonville Spokesman
Santa Monica council votes to close the city's airport by July 2018
August 24, 2016
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora Airport summit offers insight
September 23, 2015
Wilsonville Spokesman
Airport Economic Benefit is Small
January 14, 2014
Wilsonville Spokesman
Reader View: Airport is vital to region’s economy
December 18, 2013
Wilsonville Spokesman
Reader View: Full Story Not Being Told
December 11, 2013
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora control tower up in the air
November 27, 2013
Wilsonville Spokesman
Reader View: Noise is still a problem at Aurora Airport
October 1, 2013
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora Airport Master Plan contains more than $20 million
September 28, 2013
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora State Airport: Finding Its Economic Footing
September 24, 2013
Statesman Journal
City officials target runway expansion
August 21, 2011
Wilsonville Spokesman
Interest groups wait for next step in Aurora State Airport process
July 6, 2011
The Oregonian
Aviation board advances limited Aurora State Airport runway extension
June 24, 2011
The Oregonian
Officials to make Aurora State Airport development decision today
June 22, 2011
Statesman Journal
Salem to pursue a runway extension
May 10, 2011
Statesman Journal
Some want Oregon rural airports to get urban renewal
May 5, 2011
The Oregonian
A proposal rejects lengthening the runway for at least two decades
April 8, 2011
Wilsonville Spokesman
No runway extension recommended for Aurora State Airport
April 6, 2011
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora wants to annex airport
March 28, 2011
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aviation chairman takes on Wilsonville and Clackamas County
March 16, 2011
Wilsonville Spokesman
Airport meeting draws crowd of nearly 100
March 16, 2011
Statesman Journal
Three nonhighway projects in area to get funding
August 26, 2010
Statesman Journal
FAA Criticizes Clem's oversight of Aurora Airport
August 25, 2010
Wilsonville Spokesman
Control tower funding takes off before planning
August 24, 2010
Wilsonville Spokesman
Control tower planning begins despite concerns
July 29, 2010
Statesman Journal
Meeting about Aurora Airport to be Thursday
July 17, 2010
Statesman Journal
Three Mid-Valley projects to ease transportation
July 17, 2010
Wilsonville Spokesman
Aurora air traffic control tower makes priority list for state funding
June 17, 2010
Wilsonville Spokesman
Airport changes causing concerns
January 30, 2008
Capital Press
Airport zoning upsets growers
March 14, 2008