LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The Lexington Model Airplane Club has been flying at the same site for 26 years. Now, a solar energy proposal is putting that airfield in jeopardy.
The club, which has more than 130 members, operates a 60-acre airfield at the 687-acre Haley Pike Landfill. The Urban County Council is considering a proposal to lease 357 of those acres to Edelen Renewables for solar power development.
The solar farm would displace the club from its current site.
The council was set to vote on the ground lease on Thursday, but postponed it after eight club members addressed the body.
“I made this motion because I think there is some time that needs to be taken to figure this out,” said District 1 Council Member Tyler Morton.
Club President Michael Breunig said there is room for both the solar farm and the airfield on the site. He said that he submitted a co-use proposal to his district representative.
However, Kentucky law bans unmanned aircraft from flying over electrical generation facilities.
Breunig said the club’s aircraft would have remained clear of any hazardous areas.
“[The solar farm] would have been safe; they would have been outside anywhere where we would typically have any accidents whatsoever,” Breunig said.
City staff promised Thursday to search for alternative locations for the club. Breunig said any new site must meet FAA regulations and cautioned that the process will take time.
“It took two years to find this spot. Mayor Miller at the time decided this was the best spot in the county for us, and I don’t know that that’s actually changed,” Breunig said.
The club has been a part of the Lexington community for over 70 years. It also serves as a pathway for youth into STEM-related careers, according to Breunig.
The Urban County Council is scheduled to consider the ground lease again on March 26.
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