And like the railroads that have had troubles lately, and to a much greater extent, the airports are almost all publicly owned.

Most municipal planning boards are comprised of local residents that are appointed by the mayor. The members aren't necessarily people technically competent in land use or even in reading plans. I sit on a local county planning board in New Jersey and half the time is spent explaining to members that their opinion is outside our legal purview.

If the museum is confident legal action would work in their favor that would be their best course of action. If not, move. Plenty of other small airports exist in welcoming communities that would love to have something like this.

Look at the composition of your planning board, especially if their appointed. Is there anyone who stands to directly benefit from this decision? Developers? Local Landowners? etc. Have you attempted to contact your surrounding property owners to sign letters of support?

You might consider asking this outfit for help: https://www.ij.org They specialize in cases like this.

The Collins Foundation recently acquired a large private collection of military vehicles from here in California. To move the collection and start a capital fund for new structures, the foundation sold many of the vehicles. My guess is they ran into this local opposition when seeking approval for their expansion plans.

WE do not operate in a vacuum!

Irregardless of who owns the property underneath our operations, it is imperative that we continually integrate within the community around us. Make yourself visible at various functions. Get to know elected, appointed, and publicly employed individuals on a first name basis. Offer your facility as a future meeting location. Join the local chamber of commerce and service organizations.

Like any relationship, establishing and sustaining positive ones within our communities requires effort and time.