ORIGINAL: jester_s1
I'm a member of the club that voted to not allow experimental aircraft even with a waiver. The reason for it was that the allowed flight area of our field is fairly narrow because of recreational areas nearby, and the bigger planes would be cramped to stay within it. There were no issues with the planes themselves or the pilots who fly them, simply the practical matter than big models needs lots of space and we don't have it.
I'm sorry but I have to take exception to your stated reason for not allowing experimental aircraft over 55 pounds to fly at your field. We did the test flights with our 42% 75# Super Decathlon at your field to obtain the waiver. This was done with club permission and before the vote was taken. At no time did we fly near the picnic area or over people. The video is on YouTube.
Just because an airplane is big doesn't mean that it can't be flown in a relative narrow area. I have flown many times at your field and on many occasions have observed the fast turbine powered jets covering far more area than the area where we flew the Super Decathlon. I've seen many small planes fly over the picnic area and in some cases go down in that area as well as the lake just beyond the picnic area. I don't think you have banned jets and small airplanes.
Big simply does not mean that there is no way to control where the plane flies. I can takeoff the SD before the end of your runway make two turns to the left and come right back down the runway never getting more than 100' from the runway. Any competent pilot with a really big plane can do the same.
I really respect and like the people who run your club, I just happen to think this was an ill conceived rule and would like to see it repealed when you move to your new field.