Flagler County approves Van Dam Helicopters lease, awards airport terminal contract; panel creates airport zoning commission and working group

Flagler County commissioners voted to approve a 30‑year ground lease with Van Dam Helicopters and to award the airport terminal construction contract to Sauer Construction, while also creating an Airport Zoning Commission and an Airport Master Plan Working Group to oversee future airport development.

The most immediate action was approval of a ground lease for Van Dam Helicopters, which would allow the company to build a metal hangar and carry out maintenance, refurbishment and testing of large helicopters at Flagler Executive Airport. Roy Seager, airport director, described the proposal as bringing a “maintenance, repair and overhaul” operation to the airport that would create on‑site jobs and use existing airport infrastructure. The motion to approve the lease passed on a 3‑1 vote; the transcript did not record individual roll‑call votes.

Commissioners also accepted a formal construction contract with Sauer Construction for the airport’s fixed‑base operator (FBO) terminal project. County staff said all grant funding was in place for the terminal; the motion to approve the contract passed 3‑1. Sauer representatives told the board the company has a long history of aviation and aerospace projects and urged the county to proceed promptly to avoid price escalation.

Separately, commissioners adopted a resolution designating the County Planning and Development Board to serve as the Airport Zoning Commission as allowed by Florida statute 333.05. The board voted unanimously to appoint the planning board to that role, which will review proposed zoning regulations, obstructions and other land‑use matters near airport facilities.

Finally, the board approved a resolution establishing an Airport Master Plan Working Group and bylaws to advise the county and its airport consultant during an update to the airport master plan. The commission amended staff’s proposed working‑group size from five to “up to seven” members and approved the group; the motion carried unanimously.

Why this matters: The three actions move a cluster of airport projects forward — a private operator’s investment, construction of a new terminal paid largely with grants, and the creation of local review bodies that will shape zoning and the master plan. Those steps can affect economic development, noise and land use around the airport and future eligibility for state and federal grant money.

What’s next: The county will complete lease closing and contract formalities for the helicopter operator and the terminal builder. The Planning and Development Board will sit as the Airport Zoning Commission for review of airport‑related zoning matters; the newly created Airport Master Plan Working Group will begin work with the county’s consultant on the master‑plan update.

Votes and formal actions taken: Ground lease with Van Dam Helicopters — approved (motion; 3‑1). Construction contract with Sauer Construction — approved (motion; 3‑1). Resolution appointing Planning and Development Board as Airport Zoning Commission — approved unanimously. Resolution establishing Airport Master Plan Working Group (amended to up to seven members) — approved unanimously.