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Residents urge county to block or re‑examine Embry‑Riddle airport proposal near Ocala National Forest
Summary
Dozens of residents opposed expansion of aviation operations tied to an Embry‑Riddle proposal near the Ocala National Forest, citing noise, wildlife impacts and questions about whether a school use requires a new conditional use permit.
Multiple residents addressed the Lake County Board of County Commissioners on June 24 urging the county to halt or re‑examine plans tied to an Embry‑Riddle proposal at a Deep Woods Road property near the Ocala National Forest.
Speakers described the site as environmentally sensitive and said the flight patterns would cross national forest and wildlife protection areas and disrupt nesting and other wildlife. “This flight pattern is gonna affect over 2,500 acres of land,” Louise Chen told the board, and she warned that noise and tree removal for surface approach areas would harm people and wildlife.
Several speakers requested that the county review whether the proposed uses fall within the terms of an existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the airstrip or whether a new CUP is required for a degree‑granting educational institution. “Per your own LDR, any university or college requires a CUP,” Louise Chen said, urging the board to treat Embry‑Riddle as a use that triggers county CUP rules.
Other residents echoed concerns about noise, environmental disturbance and the rural character of the area. Diana Williams said she represented communities including Lake, Catherine, Paisley and Deer Haven and delivered a petition of roughly 900 signatures opposing the project. Debbie Sprung described migratory birds and deer on her property and said daily flights would harm wildlife.
Staff response and status: County staff said the matter involves compliance with an existing CUP that dates back to 2006 for the airstrip and that any land‑use requirements are governed by Lake County’s Land Development Regulations and are handled through staff processes; the item was not before the board for a decision that day. Staff told the public the county did not have discretion that would allow the Board of County Commissioners to unilaterally expand or rescind federal or forestry permits; tree removal and forestry issues would be addressed with the U.S. Forest Service or forestry divisions as appropriate.
Why it matters: Residents said the proposal would convert quiet rural and protected lands to repeated aircraft activity, affect recreation areas inside Ocala National Forest and obligate removal of tall hardwoods to create safe approach zones. Some speakers argued the CUP in place covers only the airstrip, not an aviation‑training school.
Next steps: Staff said ongoing review and compliance work will be handled through development services and the County’s land‑use process; residents requested that staff escalate review and, where relevant, require a new CUP if the use falls outside the current permit scope. The board did not take formal action on the project that day.
