Regional Affairs
New Smyrna works to prevent encroachment
Supporters of New Smyrna Beach Municipal have won a small victory in their ongoing efforts to protect the airport from further encroachment. On Sept. 9, local planning officials voted to zone a triangular parcel of land near the airport for industrial use—a decision that prevents houses from being built on the land. The vote came after AOPA and the Friends of New Smyrna Beach Airport sent letters to the Planning and Zoning Board asking members not to allow residential development so close to the airport. AOPA’s Airport Support Network volunteer and more than a dozen other airport supporters attended the planning meeting. Planning and zoning officials still must consider the fate of a second, larger piece of property near the airport. The owner of the property wants to use it to build as many as 134 homes, but airport advocates warn that residential development on the land would be incompatible with ongoing airport operations. City commissioners are expected to consider the request at a Sept. 24 meeting.
September 12, 2008
