Council renames Clearwater Airpark to ‘Clearwater Executive Airport’ and sunsets advisory board

The Clearwater City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 18 to approve an ordinance renaming Clearwater Airpark to Clearwater Executive Airport and to dissolve the Airpark Advisory Board. Michael McDonald, the city’s Marine and Aviation Director, presented the ordinance and noted the change aligns the airport’s name with industry practice. The council passed Ordinance No. 9825-25 on first reading with unanimous support. Sarah Branyon, a public policy student at Saint Petersburg College who said she researched the ordinance and interviewed McDonald, told the council the change is not intended to alter the airport’s character and that “the curfew, restricting takeoffs and landings between 11PM and 7AM will remain in place.” Branyon said the airport operates under a 30-year lease with FlyUSA, which currently manages tenants and daily operations. Branyon recommended the city require continued community engagement if the advisory board is dissolved. “My recommendation is really simple. It would be that the city would move forward with this ordinance,” she told the council, while urging continued documentation of neighborhood concerns and public events by FlyUSA and city staff. The ordinance also repeals sections of the Clearwater Code of Ordinances that establish the appointed Airpark Advisory Board. Staff did not propose changes to the airport curfew at the Sept. 18 meeting. Council discussion did not include an amendment to the FlyUSA lease; council members indicated they expect FlyUSA to continue community outreach via its own advisory processes. Ordinance No. 9825-25 will be brought back for the second reading and final adoption per the council’s ordinance schedule.