At least 1,000 residents oppose the Carroll County Regional Airport expansion, according to the signatures on a petition submitted to county commissioners Thursday.

“We have signatures from not just Westminster, but all over the county,” said John Stephens, co-chairman of the Carroll Joint Neighborhood Association, a residents’ group concerned about the expansion lowering property values and increasing noise.

As more names are collected, the group will forward them to the commissioners, said association co-chairwoman Cheri Grubby.

Residents also voiced concerns over the process of updating the airport master plan, which details its planned growth during the next 20 years.

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“More time should be given for the public to review” the plan, said Ron Buczkowski, a third association co-chairman.

Three workshops should be held and the draft plan made available for review at least 30 days, not two weeks, before the public hearing occurs, he said, citing Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

But the FAA told the county that workshops weren’t required and a time frame between a draft plan and a public hearing wasn’t specified, county attorney Kim Millender said. The 30-day and three-workshop requirement applies to the environmental assessment, which occurs after a plan is adopted, she said.

Another group approached commissioners Thursday with support for the airport expansion.

Local pilots want to help with designing the proposed additional hangars, said Mike Travagli, president of the newly formed Westminster Pilots Association.

“Many of our members and their families have flown out of Carroll County Regional Airport since it was a grass strip more than 55 years ago,” Travagli wrote in a letter to commissioners.

The FAA’s willingness to pay 95 percent of the project’s $56 million cost and the project’s ability to attract more business are the reasons consultants supported the expansion.

IF YOU GO

» What: Airport public hearing

» When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

» Where: Carroll Community College, Westminster

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com