HILLSBOROUGH - Rural residents presented a petition with 1,800 signatures to the Orange County Board of Commissioners tonight, asking the county to fight the taking of land in southwest Orange for a new airport.

The group, Preserve Rural Orange, is concerned a site in White Cross could become a new airport as UNC-Chapel Hill closes Horace Williams Airport in Chapel Hill for the planned Carolina North campus. The site was identified as a top contender in a 2005 consultant’s report, though university officials say the study was preliminary.

“UNC has characterized the concerns and protests of rural Orange County residents as ‘premature,’” resident Cliff Leath said. “Southwest Orange County residents do not believe it’s too early to question the motives of UNC and the proposed benefits to Orange County of a regional airport.”

A second citizens group, Orange County Voice, told the commissioners it is organizing countywide opposition to the taking of rural land for a new airport.

The commissioners accepted the petition and comments without discussion, as is routine with matters not on the official meeting agenda. Chairman Barry Jacobs said the county is still trying to learn more about the airport matter.

The General Assembly passed legislation this summer allowing the UNC Board of Governors to establish a 15-member airport authority to locate, build and operate an airport in Orange County.

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