By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - Plans for developing the Warren County Airport are in a holding pattern after residents voiced concerns to county commissioners Tuesday.

Commissioners held off voting on the preliminary site plan for new hangars and warehouses, but did request regular safety inspections by the Federal Aviation Administration. The proposed plan will be discussed again next week.

"We don't want to see the airport expand," said Ed Wilson, whose wife inherited land to the south of the airport, located west of Lebanon in Turtlecreek Township. "We don't want to see larger planes brought in."

Commissioners have said they did not, either.

The preliminary site plan does not call for a larger runway, but does propose more than 15 corporate hangars and T-hangars for smaller leased planes, a new taxiway and extending private roadways. The county's planning commission approved the preliminary plan with 11 conditions last month.

Airport manager Brian Carr said the plan could take more than a decade to develop, "depending on demand." In 2000, the county approved a 10-plane corporate hanger and a terminal building five times the size of the old one.

But neighbors argued that before the county approves any more additions, officials must address water runoff problems and runway lights reflecting into their homes. They also said planes have done stunts over their yards.

"There is a safety issue over there and there has been a safety issue," adjacent owner Dexter Atkins said. "I bought my house knowing it was an airport of a whole different type."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer .com