On May 27, despite compelling testimony from more than 150 community members, the Hillsboro Planning Commission approved Sky Harbour’s proposal to construct seven hangars for 30 business jets, and two 20,000-gallon fuel tanks, on 13.7 acres at Hillsboro Airport (HIO), across from the Hillsboro Library on Brookwood Parkway.

The Notice of Decision was issued on June 2. Concerned residents had two weeks to file an appeal to the Hillsboro City Council. A group of nine appellants led by Oregon Aviation Watch (OAW) filed an appeal on June 17 that will be heard at a public hearing on August 18, 7 pm, at Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E. Main Street.

They argue that the noise and air pollution that additional private aircraft will bring would affect nearby residents, wildlife, and the Brookwood Library, and that the approval parameters were too narrow.

In addition to the $3000+ filing fee for the appeal, OAW is also incurring ongoing legal costs. They are asking for donations. They have created a petition that can be distributed and returned via email or postal mail.

Another unrelated group, Oregon Air, has also filed an appeal, is requesting donations, and has also created a petition. Oregon Air advocates for clean air and neighborhood livability. They note the reasons for their appeal are that Hillsboro did not perform air quality and noise assessment; the land use application does not meet the approval criteria; that the Public Notice was not sent to impacted residents; and that important documents (including public comments from the hearings), were withheld. An information page with action items is on their website here.

In April 2025, the unelected members of the Port of Portland Board of Commissioners approved the Port’s request for “approval of a ground lease agreement at HIO for HIO Development LLC, a subsidiary of Sky Harbour Holdings LLC, for development of a business aviation hangar campus at the Hillsboro Airport.”

Neither Port staff nor the members of the Port commission sought community input prior to making this decision, despite the widespread adverse impacts HIO flight activity has on Hillsboro and the surrounding community. In addition, no Environmental Assessment was performed. The proposed new facility doesn’t appear to be on the HIO Master Plan.

This facility will primarily serve individuals and corporations that can afford private jets and the lifestyle Sky Harbour offers.  Opponents argue that it will further degrade public health and the environment in Washington County, a jurisdiction that is already severely impacted by the noise and toxic emissions generated by student and private pilots, charter jet companies, and other highly polluting aviation activity over the region.

Miki Barnes, the founder of Oregon Aviation Watch, wrote to Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley in support of the “Stop Subsidizing Private Jets Act” in May, and received this response. “Private jets produce significantly more air pollution per passenger than commercial flights, while receiving tax breaks through loopholes and subsidies in our tax code. In July 2025, President Trump and Republicans passed the ‘Big, Ugly Betrayal bill,’ which allowed companies buying private jets to immediately deduct the full cost of their private jet from their income…Additionally, jet fuel for private jets is taxed at a lower rate than fuel used in commercial aviation, a policy that subsidizes travel for the ultra-wealthy at the expense of the average American taxpayer and the planet’s health. Private jets account for a significant share of flights handled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but contribute only a small fraction of the taxes that fund our nation’s aviation and airports.”