Plans for a new business park near the Lawrence Municipal Airport have been temporarily grounded after the project sparked concerns by area residents and created budget questions in City Hall.

Developers of the proposed Airport Business Park confirmed today that they’ve asked city commissioners to indefinitely defer city hearings that had been scheduled for early February on the project.

Anthony Santaularia, a member of the development group, said his family’s company is still very much interested in developing a 144-acre business park near the intersection of U.S. Highway 24-40 and North Seventh Street. But Santaularia said more work needs to be done to determine better cost estimates for bringing water, sewer, roads and other infrastructure to the area. The city previously has estimated it would take $8 million worth of off-site improvements. The developers have asked the city to pay for some of those costs.

Lawrence Mayor Sue Hack said the delay probably is needed in order for the developers and concerned neighbors to talk more about a potential compromise plan that would be less objectionable to residents of the area.

Nancy Thellman, a leader of a group opposing the project, said she welcomed the chance to talk with the development group about other plans for the property.

Santaularia said he expected a business park plan would be ready for city consideration before the end of the year.