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The owners of Solberg-Hunterdon Airport have sued the Township of Readington, alleging that a recently-adopted zoning ordinance would block efforts to modernize and “ultimately destroy the airport as a viable operation.” In a lawsuit filed in Hunterdon County Superior Court, the Solberg Aviation Company claims the Air Safety Zone that Readington created around the 744-acre airport tract will “suffocate” plans to expand the rural airfield. Readington’s zoning ordinance “seeks not only to prevent improvement of the airport, but to suffocate Solberg Airport such that it likely will not be able to operate sustainably,” the lawsuit says. Solberg Airport was started by Thor Solberg in 1941 and remains a family-run business. It is in the process of updating its Master Plan for the first time since 1997, which has raised new fears among residents about what modernization could mean for their quality of life. Solberg Airport has scheduled a public forum for Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at Readington Middle School to discuss the new Master Plan. For nearly 75 years, Solberg has operated as a rural airfield, landing small planes on its three runways. To non-aviators, Solberg is probably best known for hosting the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, a summer event that ran for 40 years before folding in 2024. Now, many locals fear Solberg has designs on becoming a hub for cargo jets and commuter aircraft, more like the busy airports in Teterboro and Morristown than a sleepy country airfield. They’ve formed a citizens group, the Branchburg/Readington Airport Action Committee (BRAAC), to oppose expansion. If allowed, those jet planes would be flying over homes and schools, creating noise and pollution, opponents say. “Most Readington and Branchburg residents live within a five-mile radius of Solberg Airport,” BRAAC says on its website. “An expanded airport will lower the quality of life for all our residents.” Although the Master Plan has yet to be made public, the lawsuit details improvements that Solberg Airport is pursuing, including building hanger space to alleviate the overflow from Teterboro and Morristown. The airport’s Technical Advisory Committee has also recommended creating platforms for the new breed of electric drones that take off and land vertically, and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft, also known as air taxis, the lawsuit says. Solberg updated its Master Plan with a grant from the NJ Department of Transportation and in accord with the Federal Aviation Administration. In anticipation of potential changes, the Readington Township Committee in September adopted an ordinance that created the Air Safety Zone, which is required by law, in and around the airport. The ordinance prohibits Advanced Air Mobility aircraft, heliports, fuel storage facilities and warehouses. It also includes a generic prohibition against new ‘buildings’ and requires that any changes proposed by the airport would be subject to the approval of the Readington Planning Board. However, Solberg alleges in its lawsuit that the ordinance misrepresents runway dimensions, improperly maps safety zones, and fails to designate the airport as a conforming use, in violation of the New Jersey Air Safety and Zoning Act. The lawsuit, which was filed on Oct. 31, is the latest battle between the airport and the towns that surround it. In 2006, Readington sought to condemn the airport through its right of eminent domain and preserve it as open space. Solberg Airport fought the condemnation in court, and nine years later, prevailed when a judge ruled that Readington had overstepped its authority. Readington’s ordinance is the latest attack on the airport’s right to expand, the lawsuit says. “Over the past 35 to 40 years, Readington has not only failed to comply with its legal obligations, but has actively and affirmatively abused its municipal powers in an effort to preclude any growth and effectuate the ultimate demise of Solberg Airport,” the lawsuit says. Readington Mayor Adam Mueller said the township was reviewing the lawsuit. “We are in the process of reviewing the filing with our attorneys and have no comment at this time,” he said.
