Houston airport ballot initiative appeal fails

Following a recent rejection of a ballot initiative that would have let Houston voters have an opportunity to decide on an airport in Houston, Lance Wilson and Wayne Oliver appealed the decision to the Houston City Council during the most recent city council meeting on March 13.

Oliver and Wilson were on hand to argue that the ballot initiative, “Protecting Houston’s Future: Let Voters Decide if Houston Needs a Municipal Airport,” which was rejected in February by city attorneys Joseph N. Levesque and River E.M. Sterne, who wrote that although the application appeared to meet the formal requirements as required in Alaska Statutes, the proposed code addition is “unenforceable as a matter of law.”

Wilson said that the vote was simply to decide whether to accept the appeal, pursue further legal action, or rewrite the ballot initiative, not about accepting or rejecting an airport.

“The initiative simply requires public vote before city can spend money on an airport,” Wilson said. “It’s a condition, not a budget decision.”

Mayor Carter Cole told the men that they have ample opportunity to continue their appeal through the court system or wait for a new initiative that is being modified and would still put the question of whether or not the city proceeds with the airport on the ballot.

“It’s not the same initiative, but it will allow them (residents) to vote on the airport or not,” Cole said. He then said it would available after the attorneys have an opportunity to make any necessary corrections, though it would be made available to Wilson and Oliver before they proceed.

“We’re not trying to deny anyone the ability to vote on the airport,” Cole said. “In my opinion, it’s just not the right time until we have more information.” He also said that the Airport Committee needs to “step up their game and get some additional questions answered.”

The sights being considered for an airport are within Willow, which is outside of the Houston Planning and Zoning authority, which is where the resolution is being reviewed.

Meanwhile, Willow has formed its own committee to look into what actions it can take regarding the Houston airport. Brian Grenier, who is leading the committee, presented council members with a resolution that the Willow Area Community Organization (WACO) passed, stating that they were unanimously opposed to Houston acquiring any property located within Willow for the proposed airport.

“The Willow Area Community Council firmly opposes any land acquisitions or giveaways described under Houston Resolution 24-11(R).”

Ultimately, the appeal for the ballot initiative was rejected by a 5-2 vote, though Wilson said he still want the voters to decide as the men determine their next course of action.

“The voters need to decide if we need an airport,” Wilson said.