- March 28, 2024
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Official hopes for more aviation-related businesses
Future changes at the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport will be decided over the next year in a series of meetings as the Master Plan is updated for another 10 years. Workshops, public hearings and commission meetings will set the stage for growth and development at the facility.
“There will be a lot of public input,” said Economic Development Director Joe Mannarino.
Hoyle, Tanner and Associates, a national company with an office Oviedo, prepared the plan in 2004 and has been hired to update it.
The cost of the project, along with a storm water drainage plan for the airport, will be $221,749. A Federal Aviation Administration grant will pay $199,574. A Joint Participation Agreement with FDOT will provide state funding of 80% of the nonfederal share in the amount of $17,740, leaving the total remaining obligation for the Ormond Beach airport fund at $4,435. Money in the airport fund comes from fees charged to aviation businesses at the airport.
Mannarino said a project that he sees as a “must” for the plan is called Taxiway G, which would be constructed in 2015. He said the city would apply for a grant.
Taxi G will provide a way for airplanes to taxi to the southwest quadrant, now currently undeveloped. Businesses will be able to build hangars and aircraft-related industry in the 90-acre area.
“It’s very important for future development,” he said.
Fees from the businesses at the airport go into the airport fund, making the airport self-sustaining.
The airport brings businesses to the city, which pay taxes and provide jobs. An economic impact report can be found under the “airport” tab on ormondbeach.org
“It’s important for economic development purposes,” he said. “A lot of people in the business park are there because of the airport.”
He said the airport will help attract businesses to Ormond Crossings, the commercial and residential development planned on North U.S. 1.
Mannarino said development of the southwest quadrant won’t necessarily mean more air traffic at the airport. Future flight schools may be reluctant to locate at the airport if it becomes more “business friendly.” However, he sees no change in the status of current schools at the airport.
Aircraft noise still an issue
Mannarino said the master plan will look at the future needs of aviation, as well as factors such as noise abatement procedures for surrounding neighborhoods.
“It’s a balancing situation,” he said.
About four years ago, several meetings were held with residents to develop guidelines to reduce noise over surrounding neighborhoods. Voluntary procedures were developed, which included suggested takeoff and landing patterns that are still in place.
Mannarino said the airport does not receive as many complaints as it did before the noise abatement meetings, but they occasionally come in.
Mannarino emphasizes the guidelines are voluntary.
“It’s a highway in the sky,” he said. “We don’t control the sky. The FAA controls it.”
He said the airport manager, Steven Lichliter, works with the tower personnel and flight schools to try to resolve noise problems.
“He does a good job,” Mannarino said.
One local resident who has complained is Richard Wallin, 75, who has lived in Ormond Lakes for 12 years.
He is currently planning to move to Southwest Florida.
“I can’t wait to get out of here,” he said.
Wallin said people ask him why he moved near an airport, and he said he lived about two miles from an airport in Hollywood and it was never a problem.
He said air traffic has gotten worse.
“If I walk outside in a minute a plane comes across. At 10 p.m. you hear them,” he said. “There are three in the air right now.”
His neighbors do not share his concerns. He said his friend across the street asked, “What planes?”
“I think he’s deaf,” he said.
He said other neighbors work so they are gone all day.
“They say the planes don’t bother them,” he said.