Suit against ADA, Airpark alleges damages

Ardmore's Municipal Airpark is a major player in the economic and infrastructure development in rural Oklahoma. Upgrades and changes achieved through initiatives by the Ardmore Development Authority and the City of Ardmore have made significant impacts across many sectors in Ardmore and beyond. 

For some, that change brings less than ideal results in some cases. R and R Properties, LLC, in rural Carter County can provide an example of that, as they have sought legal relief after an alleged incident which occurred in late 2019.

A lawsuit filed earlier this month in Carter County District Court alleges that property damages were sustained to land adjacent to the Airpark by a local lawn contractor, Deaver Lawn Care, Inc., in an effort by the facility to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration. In an email, the FAA  directed the Municipal Airpark to "mitigate" an obstruction to aircraft accessing the facility. That obstruction named 18 trees on the plaintiffs property.

According to documents filed in district court by attorneys representing the property owners, the Ardmore Development Authority represented that only the top ten feet of those 18 trees specifically indicated by the FAA would be cut, leaving the remainder of the pecan orchard intact. Filing documents indicate the property owners allege that at least 38 trees were completely felled, leaving debris and limbs on the property. They further allege that the debris inhibited harvest and sale of both pecans and hay from the property. 

Court documents show the plaintiffs requested relief in excess of $75,000 plus legal costs, interest and damages due to negligence, negligent misrepresentation, trespass, unjust destruction of property, and wrongful injuries to timber. 

Acting President of the Ardmore Development Authority Mita Bates declined to comment on the pending litigation. No others involved in the suit responded to requests for further information prior to press time.