- April 18, 2024
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In light of the upcoming runway extension at the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, several affected citizens are banding together to make sure the community is aware of the project.
In June, the City Commission unanimously approved a work authorization to allow a new environmental assessment for the runway extension to the west, which was narrowed in scope from 1,000 feet to 600 feet after the city was unable to procure easements for the original plans. The 2015 Airport Master Plan update option that proposes a 600-foot extension to the west also includes a 400-foot extension to the east as part of a future phase.
Volusia resident Mike Rogers lives on Pineland Trail, and is one of the property owners who the city attempted to obtain an easement from in the original project.
He said the focus of the concerned residents is making sure the public is aware of what’s going on at the airport.
“The general public of Ormond Beach — 41,000 people roughly — the vast majority have no idea,” he said.
With the Federal Aviation Administration holding a 30-day public comment period, and a meeting, soon, Rogers said residents should be more aware to have the opportunity to make their voices heard.
A date and location for the meeting have not been set.
“We want Ormond Beach as a community to understand what is going on, and if they still want to move forward with it, okay” said Ormond resident Bret Berg, who is also part of the group.
Concerns over the runway extension include safety, increased noise, and the harm to the environment bigger jets could cause. Ormond resident Charles Russell spoke up in 2004 about noise and safety when the city was trying to address the issue.
“It was aggravating then, and it’s aggravating now,” Russell said.
He added that there was arrogance surrounding the idea that citizens who complain about issues are a nuisance to the city.
In an interview with the Observer in May, Airport Manager Steven Lichliter said the runway extension would allow smaller aircrafts to take off further to the west, hopefully decreasing noise for the neighborhoods east of the airport.
Civil Discourse will host a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14, to discuss the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport runway extension at 6 p.m. at Andy Romano Beachfront Park, located at 839 S. Atlantic Ave.
All are welcome to attend to discuss their viewpoints.
On Aug. 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Maryam Ghyabi, chief executive officer of Ghyabi Consulting and Management, to the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board.
Ghyabi, an Ormond Beach resident, is a previous member of the board and former member of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
Ghyabi is a member of the Pace Center for Girls Volusia-Flagler board of directors, chair of the ISB Coalition and past Chair of the Volusia County Association for Responsible Development.
The first budget hearing for the city of Ormond Beach will take place at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8.
The city is planning to set a millage rate of 4.0308 mils, which includes a dedicated public safety vehicle and equipment replacement fund.
The operating tax rate of 3.9128 mils is 4.7% above the rollback rate.
