3 letters: Readers question Ormond Beach Airport runway extension, traffic light at Wawa

Ormond Beach Observer
Opinion

Just say no to noise

Dear Editor:

Ormond Beach should say no to any airport extension unless Ormond Beach officials provide commitments to build noise protection into the airport extension build-out.

The expansion of the airport should be an expansion of the quality of life for all of Ormond Beach and not just a few.

Robert L. Shaw

DeLand

On the runway extension

Dear Editor:

My thoughts and questions on the Ormond Beach Runway Extension, responding to Observer article dated May 12, 2022:

Mr. Arnold opined that the extension would result in 2-3 more operations/day. Has anyone seen a study that leads to this conclusion? Have formal studies indicated that an extension could lead to increased noise? To increased pollution? Has the public been able to review any such studies?
Related to no. 1, how much increase in aircraft altitude and related decrease in noise does the extension offer? Any study done?
Would the extension allow landings of larger and noisier aircraft than those currently using the airport?
Stating that the airport was already there and thus no one should complain about noise is misdirection. The pertinent issues revolve around any increase in noise/pollution/public danger.

Bob Hunsaker

Ormond Beach

Traffic light for Wawa

Dear Editor:

Four years ago, twenty-three acres of forest were clear-cut for the Granada Pointe commercial development. To date, only a car wash and a Wawa gas station have been constructed while the rest of the acreage remains a moonscape. The trees missing from our gateway traffic artery are a sad loss for our Ormond Beach community.

To fulfill Wawa’s marketing preference for stores to be located at signalized intersections, a makeshift road-to-nowhere was constructed next to the Moose Lodge, creating an unnecessary intersection so that a traffic light could be installed. This traffic light has caused an inordinate number of accidents. Cars traveling eastbound on Granada Boulevard at the 45 mph speed limit suddenly come upon the traffic light after negotiating a blind curve. Braking vehicles have suffered rear-end collisions from trailing cars or trucks unable to stop.

After reading recent media coverage of Pelican Bay residents concerned about Amazon’s plans for heavy truck traffic on Beville Road in Daytona Beach, we now know why the Wawa traffic light is causing so many problems. An FDOT representative said a traffic light could not be installed at the Pelican Bay entrance because signals are not placed a half-mile or less apart.

When it comes to Granada Pointe, perhaps it’s time for a mitigation strategy, like restoring some of the land to its natural state and then redeveloping parcel by parcel, rather than as a massive PBD (Planned Business Development).

As far as the traffic light is concerned, perhaps the speed limit should be reduced and signage installed to warn motorists to slow for the traffic light ahead. Or even maybe the light should be converted to just a caution light, without a red light for Granada traffic. A traffic signal in the wrong location should not be jeopardizing the lives of our citizens.

Stacy Day

Ormond Beach

Send letters up to 400 words to [email protected]. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.