Residents press county for transparency, raise lead and safety concerns about Flagler Executive Airport; consent agenda items approved
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
During public comment Flagler County residents asked for more transparency about airport-related consent agenda items and raised health and safety concerns about piston-engine flight training and lead emissions; the board approved the consent agenda unanimously and staff explained lease protections for hangar tenants.
Several residents used public comment at the Oct. 20 Flagler County commission meeting to raise concerns about Flagler Executive Airport operations and related consent-agenda items that the speakers said lacked transparency.
Darlene Shelley of Palm Coast asked the board to provide more detail on several consent-agenda items (7d, 7f, 7g, 7i, 7j, 7m in the packet) that she said pertained to airport parcels and leases. Shelley said she was concerned about noise, fuel-emission impacts from piston-engine training aircraft and low-altitude flight paths over homes, hospitals and commercial areas. "Piston engine aircraft emit toxic lead and toxic chemicals," Shelley said, and she cited soil and water testing results previously submitted to the county that she said show elevated lead near some waterways.
The chair read an email from a resident asking whether limited-liability companies that lease airport hangars are solvent for the full lease amount. County staff answered on the record that standard Flagler Executive Airport lease agreements include default provisions that allow the county to terminate and evict tenants for nonpayment after 30 days and require tenants to maintain financial capability and insurance coverage.
Commissioners discussed an Old Brick Road preservation item referenced as a step in the process (item 70). Commissioner Carney said the item represented a beginning step for the county to show ownership and work toward an interlocal agreement with the city of Palm Coast to address encroachment concerns.
The board then approved the consent agenda by motion (motion by Commissioner Hansen, second by Commissioner Carney). The motion carried unanimously.
Speakers and board members noted limits on local authority over some airport matters: at least one commissioner observed that federal and state authorities (including the FAA) restrict the range of local actions available on airport operations and airspace. Commissioners said they would continue to raise residents' concerns with staff and seek whatever local remedies are available.
Ending: County staff recorded the concerns and reiterated the legal protections included in airport lease language; residents seeking further action were advised to submit records or proposals for the county to review under established processes.