The reality of Republic Airport in our backyard

I've been a Farmingdale resident for 57 years, living in my current home near Republic Airport for 47 years.

No one disputes the economic benefits of local airports such as Republic, but the quality-of-life concerns of residents like myself who live near the state-run airport in East Farmingdale cannot be dismissed. Nine adjacent civic associations within the towns of Babylon, Oyster Bay and Huntington have long voiced our concerns about jet traffic noise at the third-busiest airport in New York State, but a new issue has landed.

There are 50-plus acres of undeveloped land at Republic, and airport policy has historically intended that they generate income. The Airport Layout Plan (ALP) developed in the 1980s specifically designated some of that property to be used for nonaviation purposes. The largest parcel fronts well-traveled Route 109 and would potentially offer vibrant commercial development that neighbors like us would use.

Doing so would alleviate our concerns in the surrounding neighborhoods about the number of aircraft housed at Republic and their associated noise. Simultaneously this would generate significant rental income for the airport, and property taxes for the town benefiting all residents. It's a smart solution, mitigating aviation's impact on neighbors while fulfilling Republic's needs.

But in 2023 the Federal Aviation Administration changed the designation of the parcels in the ALP from commercial to "all aviation" use. The responsibility for the development of those parcels has changed hands multiple times since the contracts were initially awarded by Empire State Development and the New York State Department of Transportation.

Now, many years later and with no measurable construction occurring in the interim, the original contract winner, Stratosphere Development, has essentially handed the state's contract to yet another company, Somera Road. This company's aviation unit is a scant 18 months old. While they may be perfectly capable of building out the contract, the community has seen no evidence they have been properly vetted by the state Department of Transportation and Empire State Development. What airport neighbors and taxpayers want is thorough transparency about what will become of the place we live near.

As anyone who lives under the approach areas at Republic as planes arrive and depart can tell you, sitting in our backyards is stressful with continuous aircraft activity. The airport is surrounded by homes and so many people experience this disruption that ruins the quiet enjoyment of our homes. Commercial development of the airport property would help. The community would welcome another restaurant like the 56th Fighter Group, for example.

This airport is already operating at peak levels without the addition of a single extra luxury corporate jet. No one living close to Republic has any idea what the environmental impact will be from more than 100 additional aircraft that the latest presumed lease holder might welcome. Returning the parcel fronting Route 109 to its original designation would be a smart start to align the needs of taxpayers, the neighboring community and the requirement that Republic Airport generates income.

It feels like our concerns are a much delayed afterthought.