Commissioners press county on airport drag‑racing noise; Miami‑Dade to reclaim city‑held property at 1801 Alabama Avenue

Commissioners at the City of Opelika’s meeting raised sustained complaints about motor‑sports activity at the Miami Opelika Airport and directed city staff to pursue mitigation with Miami‑Dade County. Separately, planning staff informed the commission that Miami‑Dade County has started a reverter process to reclaim a property at 1801 Alabama Avenue that the county had previously granted to the city for infill housing.

Why it matters: Residents near the airport reported repeated weekend and day‑time noise from racing activity; commissioners said the county-owned facility should be asked to be a better neighbor. The 1801 Alabama Avenue reverter means the city will not proceed with the previously proposed development unless the county changes course.

What staff reported: Gregory Gay, director of planning and community development, said the city received notice from Miami‑Dade County that a timeline for development on 1801 Alabama Avenue had been triggered and that, per a reverter clause in the deed, the county elected not to extend the city’s development period. Gay said the city requested an extension “in June or July of 2024” and was denied in “September or October” 2024; the county will decide next steps, including possible infill housing development by the county.

Commissioners’ direction on airport noise: Commissioners Irvin and Santiago, among others, described repeated early‑morning and weekend racing that disturbs nearby residents and asked the interim city manager and the city attorney to draft a letter and pursue remedies or mitigation with Miami‑Dade County. Commissioners asked staff to explore whether the county could adjust hours, add noise‑mitigation measures (for example, barriers), or attend a county meeting to discuss operations. The commission did not take a formal regulatory action against the airport (county jurisdiction was acknowledged), but it requested staff follow up with the county and return with options.

Other property updates from the manager: The city reported that a site formerly identified as the Thompson Car Wash is in permitting with Miami‑Dade County and that demolition permits had been issued; the property at Golf Course Drive currently has no development agreement and a deed prepared for another site was discovered to lack a reverter clause; the property at 2016 Washington Avenue received county approval for demolition but funding was not included in the city’s current budget, and staff said they will meet with finance to allocate funds if needed.

Next steps: Staff will continue outreach to Miami‑Dade County regarding the 1801 Alabama property and the airport operations, and commissioners asked for a letter to the county seeking mitigation or operational adjustments to reduce noise impacts on Opelika residents. No formal intergovernmental agreement was adopted at the meeting.