"I can afford to buy a plane and make a runway on my property that
would be long enough to reach minimum altitude while on my own
property. My neighbor also, can afford to buy a much bigger piece of
land."

Any chance of working together with him and between the two of you creating
an awesome runway that would benefit both of you?

If there is a hearing scheduled, I would think that they would send the
surrounding neighbors a notice and invite your comments or concerns.

Here in redneck Wisconsin, the local zoning board had jurisdiction over
whether or not you can build it. They will also ask the owner what type of
operation and how often the airstrip will be used. They have the hearing
and if all goes well, and if you've located it away from neighbors and
nobody comes to the hearing to complain. Then you apply to the state
department of trans and they have you fill out forms and provide diagrams of
the proposed runway including nearby obstacles and the flight profile of
aircraft using the runway. If it's a private strip and you own the
surrounding land, they usually don't say much about the approach, departure
or side clearances. If it's public or you have neighbors, it's a different
ball game. But that's just how it works here, I wouldn't pretend to know
anything about Idaho.

Our company owns a lot of farm land here, some located next to airports. We
occasionally are forced to sell the airport an "avigation easement" for the
surrounding area, basically giving up our right to park equipment, plant
trees etc. on that part of our land that may interfere with the safety zone
surrounding the airport. I generally don't have a problem with it because
the laws of eminent domain apply and there's no use fighting it. As a pilot
and flight instructor, I'm happy when airports are improved, even if it
effects my own land and business. You are in a different situation.

On another subject, both your and his insurance company's may have an issue
with him building an airstrip that through it's normal use puts you or your
property in harms way.

The FAA typically doesn't get involved, so your problem is really more of a
local situation.

I'd set up a meeting with him and try to see his point of view and his
intentions. It sounds like the lack of communication may be feeding more
dis-information than anything.
--
Jim Burns III

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