FAA Notice: Oak Ridge Airport Property Covenant Public Comment

Regs.gov: Federal Aviation Administration

Published March 13th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

The FAA is requesting public comment on a request from the City of Oak Ridge, TN, to abrogate a use restriction covenant for approximately 105.61 acres of former airport property. The city seeks to redevelop the land for beneficial use, as the current covenant prevents proposed aviation projects.

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What changed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice seeking public comment on a request from the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to abrogate a use restriction covenant and right of reverter for approximately 105.61 acres of property formerly known as Airport Tract A. The city wishes to redevelop this land for beneficial use, as the existing covenant, which requires the property to be used for public airport expansion, prevents them from proceeding with proposed aviation projects. The FAA has determined the request meets procedural requirements and may approve it no sooner than thirty days after notice publication, provided it is in the best interest of the United States.

Regulated entities and interested parties are invited to submit comments by April 17, 2026. Comments should be emailed to the FAA and a copy mailed to the City of Oak Ridge. The abrogation release agreement can be reviewed in person at the FAA's Memphis Airports District Office by appointment. This action allows for potential redevelopment of the property, shifting its use from airport expansion to other beneficial purposes, subject to FAA approval after the comment period.

What to do next

Submit public comments to the FAA and City of Oak Ridge by April 17, 2026.
Review the abrogation release agreement at the FAA Memphis Airports District Office by appointment if further details are needed.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on a request by The City of Oak Ridge (“The City”), TN to
abrogate the use restriction covenant and right of reverter for property formerly known as Airport Tract A at Heritage Center,
Parcels (P) ED-4A, (P) ED-13, and (P) ED-16, consisting of approximately 105.61 acres.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 17, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Comments on this notice may be emailed to the FAA at the following email address: FAA/Memphis Airports District Office, Attn:
Jamal R. Stovall, Lead Community Planner, Jamal.Stovall@faa.gov.

In addition, one copy of any comments submitted to the FAA must be mailed or delivered to Mr. Randall W. Hemann, City Manager,
City of Oak Ridge at the following address: 200 South Tulane Avenue, Municipal Building, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jamal R. Stovall, Lead Community Planner, Federal Aviation Administration, Memphis Airports District Office, 2600 Thousand
Oaks Boulevard, Suite 2250, Memphis, TN 38118-2482, Jamal.Stovall@faa.gov. The abrogation release agreement may be reviewed in person at this same location, by appointment.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the request to abrogate the use restriction covenant and right of reverter
at the City of Oak Ridge, Municipal Building, 200 South Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C.
47107(h)(2). The FAA determined that the request to abrogate the use restriction covenant(s) and right of reverter submitted
by the sponsor meets the procedural requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA may approve the request,
in whole or in part, no sooner than thirty days after the publication of this notice.

The request consists of the following:

Pursuant to the authority of 49 U.S.C. 47153 and 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq., Grantor (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) conveyed the Property subject to use as a public airport in order to expand regional air
service in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for which it was conveyed in perpetuity and as further restricted in the Use of Real Property,
and that if the Property ceases to be used or maintained in accordance with the Use Restriction Covenant, all or any portion
of the Property shall, in its then existing condition, at the option of the Government, revert to the Government. The City
has determined it cannot proceed with the proposed airport aviation project in compliance with the Use Restrictive Covenant
and has requested from the FAA to be released so that the City may pursue other beneficial use of the property. The City requests
the FAA to abrogate the Use Restriction Covenant and Right of Reverter to allow the redevelopment of the property. The FAA
has the authority under the Act to release Grantee from the Use Restrictive Covenant and Right of Reverter. The FAA has determined
that abrogation of the Use Restriction Covenant and Right of Reverter is in the best interest of the United States of America.

Any person may inspect the request in person at the FAA office listed above under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
.

In addition, any person may, upon request, inspect the request, notice and other documents germane to the request in person
at the City of Oak Ridge.

Issued in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 13, 2026. Rans D. Black, Acting Manager, Memphis Airports District Office, Southern Region. [FR Doc. 2026-05241 Filed 3-17-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P