Residents Near PTI Settle Suit

April 17, 2003 - Source: Mike Fuchs, Staff Writer

Residents who filed a lawsuit alleging their home builder failed to tell them about plans to build a third runway at Piedmont Triad International Airport reached an out-of-court settlement Wednesday, their lawyer said.

The terms of the settlement remained confidential, attorney Jeffrey Peraldo said.

In April 2001, homeowners in the Edinburgh subdivision north of the airport filed 42 suits alleging Westminster Homes engaged in fraud and unfair trade practices by failing to tell them about the runway plans.

The planned runway has caused declining property values since the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority unveiled those plans to the public in April 1998, the suit contends.

Edinburgh, less than a mile north of the airport, is just south of Cardinal Country Club and bordered by Muirfield Drive.

The homeowners were seeking more than $10,000 in damages.

"I can tell you the matter's been resolved to the satisfaction of all the homeowners," Peraldo said. He declined to elaborate.

Rob Marcus, an attorney for Westminster Homes, did not return a message left on his voice mail. A Westminster Homes representative could not be immediately reached for comment.

Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration agreed it will pay an estimated $108 million to build the runway, which will coincide with FedEx's plans to open a cargo hub.

FedEx said it needs a third runway parallel to PTI's existing main airstrip for its overnight sorting center, expected to open in about five years.

Construction of the runway is expected to begin late this year or in 2004.


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