By STEVE HART
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
December 4, 2001
Windsor's Town Council on Monday approved a time share resort near Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, overruling
a councilmember who raised questions about its safety.
The planned 228-unit Trendwest Resorts development is about a mile north of the airport, under a flight path for
aircraft using one of its two runways.
"I don't like this project because of where it is located," said Councilwoman Lynn Morehouse. In an unusual
move, Morehouse filed an appeal challenging the town Planning Commission's approval of the resort.
Morehouse noted Monday that Sonoma County's Airport Land-Use Commission tried to block the resort earlier this
year. The panel said the location in the Airport Business Center would be subject to aircraft noise and possible
accidents, and ruled a hotel-type development shouldn't be allowed there for safety reasons.
Airport commissioners later dropped their opposition, however, after the property's owners filed a lawsuit against
them. As part of the lawsuit settlement, Trendwest Resorts redesigned the Shiloh Road project to meet some of the
panel's concerns.
On Monday, Morehouse asked fellow council members to reconsider the resort. She charged the county's airport plan
was "commandeered" to allow the project. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors removed two airport commissioners
who were opposed to it, Morehouse noted. "I don't like the way it was handled," she said.
But the rest of the council wasn't swayed. Councilman Sam Salmon, who also serves on the airport commission, said
the safety issue isn't for the council to decide. The council voted 4-1 to uphold the town Planning Commission's
action.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the resort is compatible with the airport, although it may experience
"substantial noise" from passing aircraft.
Richard Coombs, a partner in the Airport Business Center, said the resort meets state guidelines for development
around airports.
Trendwest officials said the time share complex next to Windsor Golf Course will be a Wine Country destination
similar to Meadowood resort in St. Helena. The 11-acre vacation development would have eight three-story lodge
buildings, a recreation center, pools and spa.
On Monday, the Town Council also approved an agreement with Trendwest that requires the resort's guests to pay
a 10 percent hotel tax to Windsor.
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