Deal Reached over Luke Encroachment

A settlement reached Tuesday is expected to stop the construction of new single-family homes near Luke AFB, Ariz., and, in the process, remove one factor potentially detracting from the base’s allure as a home to future F-35 strike fighter training. The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday that the agreement between the Arizona state government and Maricopa County will resolve their years-long dispute over residential encroachment of the base, which is an important F-16 fighter hub today and is in the running for the F-35 training mission. The state government had fought in the courts against the construction, while the county had been supporting landowner property rights. County supervisors are expected to approve the settlement Thursday. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) and Attorney General Terry Goddard have already signed it, according to the newspaper.