Countryside Tree Grab

[Click Pictures to Enrage]

Over the past couple of weeks, Countryside Golf Course has lost a large amount of tree cover. The Roanoke Airport Commission has decided to clear their property of woody green vegetation. Sadly, the course has now been stripped.

The following nine pictures document the damage to the area adjacent to Lewiston Rd. I was disappointed the the family of Mallard ducks weren't hanging out in the acidic sawdust pond that was created after logging ended.

The following four pictures chronicle the view from the cul-de-sac of Cheraw Lake Rd.

The wooded areas adjacent to Frontage Road have taken the greatest hit. The whole stretch has been wiped out. Some of my favorite blackberry, raspberry, and cherry trees have been destroyed. In addition, no protection appears to have been given to the stream that runs through the cut zone.

Instead of topping or selectively clearing some of the larger trees from the area, the Airport Commission chose to clear all woody vegetation. The timing of this job is interesting.

~Newt

Airport Land Lease Costs City More - MUCH MORE

The previous lease of Roanoke Airport Authority land used for Countryside Golf Club fairways cost the previous owners and now the City of Roanoke $4800 a year. This was attached to the 40 year lease that originated in 1967 when the golf course was built. It actually increased slightly from an original $1000.

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As part of the deal to swap land with the airport to widen the Runway Protection Zone for runway 6 the Airport Commission agreed to a new 10-year lease AT THE COST OF $18,000 a year - a 375% increase!

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According to Brian Townsend, Assistant City Manager, the land was assessed by a rental appraiser. This is more than the City gets from the Meadowbrook Golf lease of $17,500 a year. So not only are they paying on the $4 million debt and losing real estate tax they are now losing $500 a year in this poorly negotiated transaction.

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Even at that Granger MacFarlane, Roanoke City's representative on the Airport Commission voted "NO" on the 10-year lease. MacFarlane said "that he felt that the Commission would rue the day when the decision was made to go from a 5 year lease to a 10 year lease on the golf course property and that he thinks the Commission's negotiation position was given up." Taken from the ROA Commission minutes of November 11th.

Provision Added to Countryside Golf Club Operating Agreement

At Monday’s City Council meeting a provision was added to the operating agreement between the City and Meadowbrook Golf Group, Inc. At the October 23rd City Council meeting an Ordinance was adopted to extend Meadowbrook’s operation of Countryside Golf Club for a period of one year. The agreement was effective on November 1, 2008.

The modification was as a result of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission requesting that the extension include a provision that the Commission can terminate the lease with the City under certain conditions. This would result in the termination of the Operating Agreement between the City and Meadowbrook. The Airport Commission owns a portion of the property containing fairways of the golf course. Now that the City owns the golf course, the City is responsible for negotiating the lease with the Airport Commission. Meadowbrook agreed to this provision with consequences.

The provision reads in part - The parties acknowledge that any financial obligations between the Owner of the Airport Commission relative to the Lease being negotiated between the City and the Airport Commission are the responsibility of the City. The parties further acknowledge that any obligations to alter, modify or improve the property subject to the Lease being negotiated between the City and the Airport Commission are the responsibility of the City. If such Leased property becomes no longer available to the City, the City will make a payment to Meadowbrook. Payment ranges from $20,000 to $170,000 depending on the month of termination. Council unanimously agreed to the provision.

What Came First...

What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

Roanoke City Council met August 4 in an information session on Countryside at City Hall. The session began around 11:15 and lasted for about two hours. During that time the full council was briefed in depth by Brian Townsend before giving way to a question/answer time.

Much of Townsend’s briefing was geared to providing the new council members; Rosen, Price, Bowers, and Nash; and opportunity to become familiar with the history of the Countryside purchase and development plans by the City.

Much of the briefing centered on how the airport impacts the club. With a significant chunk of land leased to the city by the airport commission and with that lease due to expire in mid November, the city will need to renegotiate the lease for golf to continue. In addition, the airport commission wishes to widen the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). To accomplish that goal, a land swap is being proposed that will swap two tracts on either side of Ranch Road for land on either side of the current RPZ. The parcels offered by the Airport Commission for the swap have been altered from the original proposal, however. No doubt Valerie will go back and tweak her now famous RPZ image to illustrate the current swap proposal. Townsend stated the reason for the change was due to the overall value of the property being taken by the airport commission not matching the value of the property the airport commission was giving to the city (at least that’s the way I understood what he was saying.)

Part of the informational briefing centered on the current state of the golf facility. Townsend informed the council that Meadowbrook currently pays $17,500 for the lease to operate the course. The annual debt service for FY 2009 is just over $470,000. Meadowbrook reported $87,500 in profit in 2005, $79,800 in 2006, and $43,200 in 2007.

Townsend also covered the short-term capital improvement needs for Countryside:

Cart Paths:

-$25,000 for paving paths near tees and greens/returning rest to grass

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-$180,000 for full replacement

Irrigation System

-$100,000 for repairs

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-$700,000 for full replacement

Burcham and Townsend then presented their two basic recommendations:

1. Short Term Golf Course Agreements

-Extend limited lease agreements with a management group for five years

-Finalize Land swap and Lease Extensions

-Limited capital improvements

-Identify additional redevelopment ideas (may still develop at a later date)

2. “Golf Course Stewardship” Long Term Golf Commitment

-Finalize land swap and lease renewal with Airport Commission

-RFP operation and management lease

-Feasibility Study for golf operation

-Invest in the capital improvement plan

The discussion was focused and productive. Most council members stated their support for maintaining the golf course. The real debate seemed to be centered on the airport lease. Here comes the chicken and egg part. Dr. Trinkle and Mrs. Mason were especially focused on the upcoming possible lease extension by the airport commission. The question is will the airport commission extend the lease so that the city can then commit to golf or does the city need to commit to golf so that that airport commission will extend the lease? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Mr. Nash and Dr. Trinkle also broached the subject of a permanent commitment to golf. One thing that our organization hopes to avoid is another round of development roulette five years down the road when the housing market looks sunnier. We want a firm commitment to support fully Countryside Golf Course. One way to demonstrate that is by seeking a long-term lease with the airport commission. If the airport commission were to commit to a long-term lease (ten years or longer) where the city guaranteed that the land would remain a golf course, then the airport commission could be assured of having a low-density acceptable use of the property.

Mayor Bowers made several comments that cheered us. He stated that he didn’t want this process to drag out. He wants citizens to be heard in the matter and then a firm time window of no more than a year established to iron out the details of the city’s course of action. Of course, with both the Meadowbrook lease and airport commission lease all coming due in October/November, that time table will need to be pushed up even more.

Mayor Bowers also stated that Roanokers tell him that they are “…green with envy…” over Salem’s commitment to parks and recreation facilities. He maintained that Countryside is an ideal location to develop our own recreation facility with tennis and competitive swimming components.

Court Rosen and Anita Price did a lot of listening, but Rosen did state that the city can make Countryside Golf Course are real amenity. He mentioned that thinking out of the box on how to utilize the assets of the course is important. He gave for example, the idea that memberships may be offered to employees to businesses that choose to locate in the city.

Anita Price quietly made the powerful point that the city and Meadowbrook need to be doing more to market and publicize the course. She pointed out that the visitor brochure produced by the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau does not list Countryside in the golf listings. Other public courses are listed, but not the city’s course. Several phone books serve the valley. Interestingly, if you want to look up Countryside in the yellow pages of the Verizon phone book (the largest and arguably most popular), you won’t find it listed at all. It does appear in the “Yellow Book” with an attractive quarter page ad.

Mr. Lea restated his long-standing support for the 18 hole golf course. Like the other council members, he stated a desire to meet with the airport commission.

Dr. Trinkle, in addition to his other comments, stated that he wants the city to commit to five to ten years of being good stewards of the golf course. He also wants to hear from the public about how the facility can benefit the community and schools.

Mrs. Burcham began to wind down the meeting by stressing that the staff would like to put forth an RFP for a 5-year lease to run the golf course facility. She stated that the council and staff would need to define expenses and responsibilities before entering into the lease agreement.

At that point, the discussion became a little murky and difficult to follow. We weren’t sure exactly what will be brought before the council in terms of RFP’s at future meetings. However, we believe that Council directed staff to bring an RFP proposal with at least a five year lease built in back to them. It also appeared that some council members directed the staff to negotiate with Meadowbrook for a long-term commitment; however, that negotiation may be handled through the RFP process. (The council members sat with their backs to the public and there were no microphones, so it was sometimes difficult to hear comments and read body language.)

Countryside Neighborhood Alliance had a strong showing with many of our friends present. In addition, representatives from the golf course attended.

The session produced news of an upcoming meeting with the airport commission to discuss several issues. Perhaps the lease extension and land swap will come up. This meeting will take place on September 2 at noon. We didn’t catch the location.

Overall, we were very pleased with the tone and seriousness of the discussions. The council members were civil to and respectful of the public and each other. They discussed, unrelated to Countryside, having a retreat at a local venue (most likely the city owned Apple Ridge Farm) to discuss issues and set goals and priorities. If the chickens can be hatched, Countryside Golf Course may have a bright future.

Roanoke City Council Meeting and Briefing Today

First I'd like to correct the date the expiration of the City's lease on the airport owned land that serves as the RPZ (Runway Protection Zone) at runway 6. I pulled my copy of the lease and it is November 14th, 2008, not October 31st. October 31st is when the one year lease with the operators of Countryside Golf Course will end. Another detail is that the amount the airport receives from the City is exactly $4,731 per Jesse Hall, previous Director of Finance, email, dated January 10, 2006.

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I was so glad Al Steele was able to make the meetings as this lends an extra pair of ears in case I missed anything. We both surmised how much more informative the briefings are compared to the Council meeting where votes are taken.

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I mentioned the 40 year lease ending during the 2:00 PM public comments prior to the briefing as I was fairly sure that new Council members and possibly other Council members may not know or remember. This I related to the airport desiring the land swap which I have covered ad nauseum previously.

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The other topics were the intersection of Valley View Blvd., Thirlane, and entrance to the airport which every citizen and deplaning visitor to Roanoke knows it to be a confusing mess. However, the City has a plan that was detailed at the briefing. The City would like to move forward with it at a cost of $2 million and hopes of some cost sharing and land from the Airport Commission. It seems the Airport Commission has other ideas so it was indicated that if the Airport Commission does not get off their duff that the City will proceed on its own.... good!

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The other topic was the Valley View exchange and Hershberger exchange. This was a very complicated subject that I won't try to get into here but suffice it to say with VDOT involved, transportation funding staled, and $69 million allocated (which is not enough for both) it is a tangled web ... come to think of it all three topics are a puzzle with each piece dependent on another. If this briefing and other briefings were televised it would give citizens a chance to see what the Council and yes, even the administration is up against.

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Now back to Countryside lease and land swap - an important date to discuss the land swap with the Airport Commission will be at their joint meeting scheduled for September 2nd. I don't think the lease will be discussed at that time or at least no decision would be made at the September meeting. This is dependent on the Council briefing (and their direction) on Countryside Golf Course to take place on August 4th (at about 10:00 AM in EOC basement). The results of that briefing and subsequent Council meeting will enable City Administration to formally ask for an extension of the 40 year lease for a period of 5 years. At the briefing, Ms. Burcham stated that the Airport Commission would only consider a maximum extension for 5 years. This length of time is what I anticipate a lease with Meadowbrook will be.

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A point Ms. Burcham made regarding a RFP for any new operators of the golf course would absolutely require a multi-year lease. If Meadowbrook did not get the lease extended they would take their equipment (which is substantial), personnel, and any other marbles and go home. Another operator then would incur substantial investment cost to bring in THEIR equipment, hire personnel, etc., making only a long term lease financially feasible for a new operator.

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Councilman Court Rosen remembered my suggestion that he get the feasibility study performed back in 2002-2003 to review before the August 4th Countryside briefing. All members of Council asked to get a copy. You remember, the one performed by The Lawrence Group (one page posted below). Hopefully, this will include the detailed drawings of the various options that were supplied as well. I still have them minus a couple that were taken by someone at one of our meetings.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

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At this point the September 2nd joint meeting with the Airport Commission as well as the briefing on the morning of August 4th are very important.

Roanoke City Has Bargaining Chip

Roanoke Regional Airport wants to swap Countryside Golf Course land to widen runway 6 clear zone - Roanoke City should use the expiring 40 year lease on this clear zone as a bargaining chip.

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CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE AT LEFT

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On Monday a briefing will be held regarding the widening of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). This same RPZ has been leased to the various owners over the past 40 years for many of Countryside Golf Course fairways. Now the city is the owner of Countryside Golf Course and pays the Airport Commission about $4100 a year to lease the land owned by the Airport. The FAA, by the way, encourages leasing airport property for additional airport funding. Of course the land use must conform to FAA regulations. A golf course is specifically mentioned as an acceptable use of a RPZ.

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The 40 year lease with the Roanoke Airport ends October 31, 2008. It must be extended for continued operation of the golf course. Though as my previous posts and past media coverage indicated that the Director of the Airport was going to recommend NOT renewing the lease to the Airport Commission back in 2005. At that time Meadowbrook owned the golf course.

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Now that the plan to develop the property has been snuffed out with the housing boom bust it becomes imperative that the lease not expire.

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This is an easy "tit for tat" on the part of Roanoke City Council and Administration - give us another 40 year lease extension and we will swap the land with you. ... too easy!

Roanoke City To Swap Countryside Land for Airport Land

RED line is widened RPZ - PINK land is to be swapped - The dotted BLACK outline is current airport-owned property. CLICK TO ENLARGE map and letter below.

We have known this for a long time and wondered when it was actually going to occur. At the July 21st City Council briefing or workshop the city-owned Countryside land to be swapped with Roanoke Regional Airport will be discussed. This is a widening of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) for Runway 6. It will be swapped for land mostly at Lewiston and Ranch. This vacant airport-owned land once had homes on it. These homes were demolished and owners compensated with Federal Funds in the 1980's when the airport was expanded. The PINK land will probably be slated for homes AGAIN. Maybe the previous homeowners would like to have first crack at one of these homes in the noise contour. We all know it should be something other than homes so let us hope there is "reason" out there.
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When the RPZ is widened it will encompass at least two homes on Cheraw Lake. If I were these property owners I would be concerned with my property value. I'm just guessing that a home in a RPZ would be hard to sell. However, the Director of ROA did say they would be willing buyers if ever they decided to sell - yes, but for how much?

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Did you notice the verbiage of the letter from Ms. Shuck, Director of ROA, that read - "Realizing that the golf course was interested in maintaining the lease and would most likely come to terms with us if purchase were necessary". This contradicts previous communications to the public that the 40 year lease with the owners, Meadowbrook, would terminate and not be renewed for safety reasons. CLICK HERE FOR THAT LETTER.

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Do you see why there is so much distrust? This is just a smidgen.

Council Briefing On Countryside Scheduled For August 4th

At the first Roanoke City Council Meeting Monday with new members of Council, Mayor Bowers directed an inquiry to the City Manager as to the status of the Countryside property. The inquiry led to disclosure of a briefing to Council scheduled for August 4th at about 10:00 AM following a meeting with the Roanoke City School Board at 9:00 AM at Addison. It will be held in the EOC room (basement) in the Municipal Building and is open to the public. Ms. Burcham advised that it will be about an hour and one half as many aspects along with immediate action issues need to be conveyed. Not the least of which is the continuation of golf course operations by "somebody" or to continue with Meadowbrook the current operators. The lease with Meadowbrook ends November 1st. Also, the 40 year lease of the Airport owned property (clear zone) where fairways reside terminates at the end of October. The Airport Authority will need to allow for continuation of the lease. If you recall the Director of the Airport informed the previous owners of Countryside (Meadowbrook who now operates it) that the Airport Commission would NOT renew the 40 year lease. At that time non renewal of the lease was used to pressure the sale of the golf course to the city. I would wager that the lease with the CITY will be renewed by the the Airport Commission.

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Anyone interested in observing the briefing can attend on August 4th. Also visit Councilman Dave Trinkle's blog and his post concerning Countryside. I had a hard time following his thoughts so let us help him understand the "vision".

Chickens, Mosquitos, and Snakes - Oh My!

Roanoke City Code Enforcement to the rescue. After 5 years of stagnant water and vegetation growth at the Countryside Swim Club we may have a break in the case. Last night I finally decided to submit on Roanoke City's website under "Request for Services and Issues". This is the fastest way to get action from the City. Calling yields little it seems. I was home today to receive a call this morning about 11:00 AM from Stephen Hanson of Roanoke City Code Enforcement for our area. Mr. Hanson had only been on the job for 2 months but already had addressed my Two Service Requests. He did not know that Roanoke City owned the golf course property.

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First you get a notice of assignment of your issue in your email inbox that looks like this:

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02/04/2008 08:57 AM - Adrian Brown/Employees/City_of_Roanoke Issue Type/Subtype Change New: Miscellaneous Requests / Misc. Request - Building Inspections Due Date Change Previous: 02/03/2008 08:18 PM New: 02/05/2008 03:00 PM Department / Unit Change New: Housing and Neighborhood Services / Housing Assignee Change Previous: Adrian Brown/Employees/ City_of_Roanoke New: Stephen Hanson/Employees/ City_of_Roanoke

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Followed then by a second email saying they are on their way then a third email when it has been resolved and what action has been taken. Here is the third email:

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02/04/2008 01:33 PM - Stephen Hanson/Employees/City_of_Roanoke Action Taken: Responded to 2100 Countryside Drive. Pool(s) are full of water and abandoned structure (near pools) has all windows broken out with evidence of entry by vandals. Will inquire w/Chris Chittum as to status of property.

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I learned from Mr. Hanson's phone call this morning that a chair had been used to enter a broken window of the building adjoining the swimming pool and that the inside of the building had been totally trashed. He also thinks it is being used by vagrants or for drug dealing - who knows what may go on in there. This is shameful to have Roanoke City-owned property being the source of a complaint like this. It just shows how they take care of taxpayer owned assets. The pool area and Tennis Building area is not part of the Operating Agreement with Meadowbrook. It is Roanoke City's responsibility. The solution per Mr. Hanson is to have the building boarded up immediately. The pool drained or treated with vermin and mosquito resistant chemicals. This is a health hazard and code violation in Section 15-30 of Roanoke City Code.

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My second request is a bit more on the lighter side. One of my neighbors backs up to a house that has decided to have a few chickens. We thought keeping chickens within the City of Roanoke was not allowed. Guess again! You can have up to 10 chickens as long as they are in at least a 22,000 sq. ft. environment and 50 feet from the nearest structure. The chicken house must also be of a certain size. All was in compliance. I know it is tempting to run out there and pick up some live chickens to keep in your yard but I suggest that if you want your neighbors to talk to you that you resist the temptation. I will get my "range free" chicken eggs at the grocery store, thank you!

Countryside Property Too Noisy ...

September 27, 1982, Roanoke City Council Minutes - Airport-Sale/Purchase of Property: The City Manager (Bern Ewert) submitted a written report advising that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report done in conjunction with planning for the Runway extension identified areas with high noise impact and encouraged the City to apply for a grant to acquire properties affected by a certain level of noise. Funds have been made available for land acquisition. The City Manager recommended purchase of 14 individual homes and Builders Investment Group (then the owners of Countryside). The total consideration offered or expended shall not exceed $562,500 without further authorization of Council. CLICK ON THE MAP TO ENLARGE.

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From the minutes of the September 20th, 2006, Roanoke Regional Airport Commission Meeting: There was discussion among the members regarding the Countryside Golf Course property and the City of Roanoke’s recent one year renewal of its lease. It was suggested that the Commission go on record advising the City of Roanoke that any residential projects planned for that area include sound proofing. Ms. Shuck indicated that she would prepare a letter to the City for the Chairman’s signature.

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The Roanoke Times September 30th, 2006: The executive director for Roanoke Regional Airport, Jacqueline Shuck, has weighed in on city plans to develop the property currently occupied by Countryside Golf Course. Her concern: noise that will annoy new residents.

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She confirmed last week that she has reminded city officials that parts of the land lie in the airport's noise impact zone and any developer that builds homes there should strongly consider sound insulation.

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Shuck went public with her concerns after questions were raised at an airport commission meeting held Aug. 20. They come at a pivotal time for the city, which is considering a proposal to develop the 123-acre property southwest of the airport along Interstate 581.

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Because of its proximity to the airport, commission member Fuzzy Minnix wanted to make sure the city was aware that some of the land overlaps with areas the airport considers heavily affected by the buzz of airplanes flying overhead -- a move he said could help the airport avoid complaints from new residents moving into the area.

Looking Back 25 Years - Countryside Golf Course

"Roanoke City Council has taken an option on Countryside Golf Course as part of a deal for purchase of 14 parcels from the same owners for airport use." - 1982 - The Roanoke Times by Belinda Harris

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This is the same property where homes were purchased and then demolished using "eminent domain" for airport expansion in the mid 1980's. Now the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission wants to swap this same land for other land in order to widen the Runway 6 Runway Protection Zone (see the map above and CLICK ON THE MAP TO ENLARGE).

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This property with homes then demolished in 1982 in anticipation of future airport expansion is now available for development. So put houses up where the City once tore them down then - say in another 20-25 years - tear these homes down for Runway 6 extension. This should be a warning to anyone who would purchase a home constructed on that plot of land or any other home built near this runway. The plot of land is located at Lewiston and Ranch in Northwest City and for now it is owned by the Roanoke Airport Commission.

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Tear 'em down - put 'em up ... then tear 'em down again.

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Roanoke City Vision 2020? The City's 20-20 vision is short-sighted to put it kindly.

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Any future prospect for lengthening Runway 6 across I-581 is now too costly per Ms. Shuck, the Director of Roanoke Regional Airport. Mr. Brian Townsend, Roanoke City Assistant Manager for Community Development, concurs and said it will never happen.

This property is the same property being marketed to developers in the recent Request For Proposal (which is still online CLICK HERE) to develop Countryside Golf Course into mixed-use high density housing, including retail and commercial uses. What was unacceptably too noisy and too close to the airport is now acceptable and safe for allowing Roanoke citizens to sink money into homes there.... again.

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Is this what prompted a member of the business community to contact me today regarding adding airport expansion as another reason not to develop Countryside Golf Course ... or was it a coincidence.

An Air Traffic Controller Speaks

When I commented to this air traffic controller that the Virginia Department of Aviation (VDOA) was vague and evasive regarding issues with the widening of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) of runway 6 his response was - "He was vague because it is a tenuous issue." The same thing goes for the Roanoke Regional Airport personnel.

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The Air Traffic Controller continues, "These RPZ's are established for navigational perimeters, providing safe zones and buffers for aircraft operations, maneuverability, etc. As you are aware, many years ago, the FAA installed the instrument approach - for runway six. Prior the only instrument approach was on runway 33, over Hershberger. Whereas the approach for Rwy 33 is a straight in and fully lighted approach - the aircraft/pilot aligns himself with the runway to land; the approach for Rwy 6 is offset - the aircraft/pilot flies at an angle to the runway center line, the lighting system is not full and at a point on the approach, he makes a correction/turn, to align with the runway center line. Also Rwy 33 has an instrument approach only; whereas Rwy 6 also has a reciprocal approach (the opposite end of the; Rwy 24) that makes it more versatile and its longer. The Oakleaf subdivision and the other new one, on the opposite side of Cove (i.e. Quail Drive) are within the noise-abatement zones. When the planes fly the instrument approach, they come over at an angle and you can actually see them make there midair course corrections [at Oakleaf]. When the weather is clear and they are flying visually, they approach further over."

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"It would be prudent, other than the VDOA, to get the position of the FAA, as well as the VDOA - in writing because being pre-existing residential dwellings and within the zone [RPZ], is entirely different than being outside of it and built afterwards (it's questionable if planning and zoning could give the applicable permits). The owners have a tough decision. There is something known as "Adverse Condemnation", whereby a landowner can file, request a jury (provides a larger pool of potential jurors, other than just landowners); and, if you prevail, you can now be awarded all applicable legal cost (i.e. cost of expert witnesses and testimony, reasonable attorney, appraisal fees, etc). In the Tidewater area, they have given the localities hell, returning sizable awards. The key is "damages" - if you can show the before/after value of your property effected. Given prevailing trends, a landowner's chances have changed. These RPZ's, among other things, are predicated on runway approaches, so I have attached the approach charts [I have them if anyone wants them as they are very complicated]. Check the FAA web site for the most current, because they are frequently updated."

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"Also; get the aircraft traffic counts, for the approaches uses and by types of aircraft. Given wind conditions and the weather conditions, Rwy 6 has a "missed approach" that provides [that a] pilot [can] fly straight out and turn towards Moneta and hold. This enables no delay in following planes to continue there approach and if the pilot deems it safe for him, he lands. Rwy 33 requires a decision point that requires a sharper turn and that following planes be held further back, until the missed plane is clearer of the approach, a less desirable situation for both (pilot/controller)."

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Video shot at Countryside's 12th Fairway includes

C-17 Globmaster III US Airforce:

C-17 Globmaster III take off from Roanoke Regional:

Watch this sucker actually back up: