Concerns rise over proposed airstrip in Picture Rocks meeting | Local News

PICTURE ROCKS, Ariz. (KVOA) – More than 60 residents gathered at the Picture Rocks Community Center to discuss a proposed airstrip in their area. Concerns over noise, environmental impacts, and potential effects on home values dominated the conversation.

The development, proposed by Marana Tactical Flight LLC, would be located about three miles west of Picture Rocks on approximately 410 acres near Marana, north of Manville Road. The company, which conducts parachute training at Marana Regional Airport, is seeking a “backup facility” due to increased activity at the airport, according to a letter to nearby property owners. 

Marana Tactical Flight LLC. wants to build a dirt runway and small hangar, according to the letter.  

Neighbors at the meeting expressed frustration over previous unpermitted activities at the proposed site. Corinna Gollubier, a homeowner on Lone Owl Trail, a nearby street, shared her experiences.

“We’ve had them land on our property. We’ve had them parked on our property waiting for people to land. We didn’t know they were military,” Gollubier said.

Pima County officials confirmed that these activities were not permitted, though neighbors reported that the activity has since ceased. An attorney representing Marana Tactical Flight LLC stated that their partner, Patrick Nikitenko, was unaware of any illegal activity and questioned its legality.

Pima County Supervisor Jennifer Allen addressed how this past activity could influence an eventual county decision on the airstrip.

“So I know that they have been operating illegally, and they knew that they were operating illegally,” Allen told the crowd. “So that information is absolutely taken into consideration and account on the board decision,” Allen said.

Some attendees were eager to hear directly from the developer. Rory Juneman, an attorney for Marana Tactical Flight LLC, spoke to News 4 Tucson on the matter.

“We know it’s a good thing for the military training, for the economic development, for Marana Airport,” Juneman said. “What our focus in this process is, is to make sure it’s not a detriment to those immediate neighbors.” 

Currently, Pima County has not received an official application for the airstrip. Once submitted, the proposal will need to go through an aviation committee, the county’s zoning and planning commission, and the Pima County Board of Supervisors for approval.