Marshfield, Wis (WSAU) — Marshfield retailer Power Pac must quit testing recreational vehicles like snowmobiles and motorcycles near the end of a Marshfield Municipal Airport runway. That’s according to Wood County Judge Nicholas Brazen Jr. who ruled in favor of existing city easements that limit the property to agricultural use only.
Airport general manager Jeff Gaier says, it’s really all about public safety. “The Power Pac property itself is in a clear zone and that is a zone where you try to keep it clear of obstruction, clear of obstacle; because if an airplane would run off the runway, that’s the area it would run into.” Gaier added that, “If the airplane ran into crops, it’s actually going to slow the airplane down a little bit but they’re not going to have to worry about running into any people then.”
Power Pac purchased the land back in 2004 and held organized snowmobile races on the property from 2005 through 2009. More recently the property has been used to let customers test drive recretional vehicles.
The issue had been disputed for the last two years, and Power Pac owner Mike Trulen hasn’t said whether he’ll appeal the ruling.
by Terry Pezl, WSAU Radio
