Neighbors who complained of noise and low-flying planes in protest of an expansion of Lancaster Airport have filed a zoning appeal and hired an attorney who specializes in municipal disputes.

“There’s nothing in the Town of Lancaster zoning code that permits an airport anywhere,” said Arthur Giacalone, a lawyer based in East Aurora. He is working on behalf of the citizens group Safe Aviation Coalition of Lancaster. Last week, he asked the Zoning Board to review the matter and hold a public hearing, possibly March 11, to determine whether the airport’s expansion since its 1960s-era founding was legal.

The request for review, submitted last week, follows a similar request made two months ago to Code Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Simme. “I have not responded because I have to wait for legal interpretations,” he said.

An airport owner said the Federal Aviation Administration already reacted to the lawyer’s demand by putting a hold on a grant that would have helped pay to extend the 3,200-foot runway to 5,500 feet.

“The FAA stopped our funding,” said Tom Geles, son of one of the two original owners who founded the airport.

He worried about the potential expense that could come with a prolonged dispute involving lawyers. Such a contest, which could cost the municipality, seemed like a waste, he said.

Giacalone’s argument includes the allegation that town zoning law does does not permit an airport and that if one is developed under a “nonconforming use” clause, it should be contained by no more than a 25 percent expansion. The 1960sera airport has already exceeded such limits, said Giacalone.

Geles questions the validity of the appeal.

“At every step, Lancaster Airport has consulted with the town as to changes that would have had jurisdiction by the town,” he said. “I would not rule out that, inadvertently, a minor technical point was missed as we were following a master plan which was on file with the town.”

By serving small airplanes, Lancaster Airport has helped alleviate air traffic at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, he said.

“We’re the best alternative airport,” Geles said.