Soldner: Please limit Aspen airport size

Dear editor, Roaring Fork Valley residents, Pitkin County commissioners,

While following the back and forth about the Aspen airport question I keep wondering why no one is offering an obvious solution? I wish you, our dedicated and well intentioned Pitkin County commissioners whom I really respect, would do for the airport what you have done with housing size: Downsize! You recently limited the size of new house construction from 15,000 square feet to 9,250 square feet and possibly an even smaller size in the future.

As parents and as a society we set limits for out-of-control toddlers, teenagers, and adults who won’t follow the law. Set a limit on the size and number of planes allowed into the Aspen airport! Upgrade the terminal and rebuild the runway but keep it where it is. We are told the domestic airline companies are not clamoring for bigger planes. Yes, private plane proprietors will be very unhappy. That’s OK!

I dread not only the additional noise and air pollution of more and bigger private planes, but the entitlement of those patrons when they descend into our fragile valley. Please, please reconsider your recent vote. Smaller and fewer private planes will help give us our valley back.

Reservations have to be made to go to restaurants, Maroon Bells, Hanging Lake, and now some national parks. Whether a visitor or resident, everyone can learn to plan ahead, be patient, take turns, and be respectful. Preserving our small community values will only happen if we take control back.

Thank you,

Stephanie Soldner

Aspen