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Residents press commission on Riverbend golf course and airport runway plans; staff to send FAA letter and commission to gather options
Summary
Public commenters raised concerns about the closed Riverbend golf course at the airport property and potential runway extensions. The commission asked staff to send a letter to the FAA and discussed gathering feasibility information from Florida Gulf Coast University's PGA management program if the FAA confirms the course is an allowable use.
Several residents spoke during the public comment period about long‑standing local concerns involving the airport property and the closed Riverbend golf course.
Arthur Armstrong urged the commission to restore the golf course, said the course has been closed and in disarray for about four years and questioned reported rehabilitation costs. He also said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had indicated having a golf course on airport property presented no issue, and said Bear Creek residents should be compensated for perceived losses from decisions about the property.
Judy Robin, a Bear Creek Village resident, asked the commission to explain why the city sought clarification from the FAA about whether a golf course is a permissible use on airport land when a Riverbend golf course has existed on the property for decades. Commissioner Travis Sargent asked whether a letter to the FAA had been sent; staff and the city attorney said a draft letter would be provided to commissioners and that the city planned to send it before the end of the week.
Commissioner Sargent asked for permission to gather additional information from Florida Gulf Coast University's PGA golf management program if the FAA confirms a golf course is an allowable use and indicated he would perform that outreach on his own time and not represent the commission. City attorney Randy Hayes said he would prepare and send a draft letter to FAA; staff said the draft would be circulated to commissioners and made public once signed and mailed.
Why it matters: The status of airport property, the closed golf course and any runway plans affect nearby neighborhoods (including Bear Creek), property values and how the city and county manage land uses near an active airport. Public comments connected the topic to long‑running local concerns and prior land‑use decisions.
Ending: Staff committed to circulate the FAA letter draft to commissioners and to mail it by week's end; commissioners discussed collecting feasibility data from university programs if FAA confirms the course is an approved use. No formal city policy change or funding decision was made at the June 3 meeting.
