Neighbors urge board to block private runway near Spring Lake as planners note FAA sign-off

A request by Rose and James Haney for a private, single‑engine runway on a 9.8‑acre agricultural parcel east of White Road drew hours of public comment at the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners’ land‑use meeting June 3.

Planning and zoning staff told the board the applicant proposes a 1,230‑foot‑long by 50‑foot runway for personal use only and indicated at most 20 takeoffs and landings a month. “The request was submitted by the petitioner for a private use airport runway on a 9.8 acre…parcel. The runway was proposed to be 1,230 feet in length and 50 feet in width, and it was solely for the utilization of the petitioner,” Planning and Zoning representative Michelle Miller said.

Neighbors said the runway would be too close to homes and to areas where children and wildlife gather. “This private airstrip affects my property and my family. It’s going to be approximately 50 feet from my grandchildren’s tree swing, 300 feet from my front door,” local resident Connie Kraus told commissioners, and later warned that the runway would depress property values and increase safety risks. Spring Lake resident Susan Duvall told the board the runway end could be “approximately 26 feet from my boundary line,” and she raised concerns about gusty crosswinds, emergency access and the possibility other pilots would use the strip.

Planning staff and county attorneys told the board their review focused on land‑use consistency rather than aviation safety, which the Federal Aviation Administration regulates. Miller said county files include FAA documentation the petitioner supplied showing FAA concurrence for noncommercial, single‑engine operations. County attorney John Jobein told the board the commissioners’ immediate decision was whether to allow the item to come back to the board for a public hearing.

Commissioners split on property‑rights versus neighborhood impacts. Commissioner Champion emphasized property‑rights protections and called private airstrips “a legal right in the zoning district.” Commissioner Amselor said the board needed time to consider concerns raised by neighbors. No final decision to approve the runway was taken at the meeting; the board left open whether to schedule a formal hearing and likely will return the item for a later, noticed quasi‑judicial hearing.

Why it matters: The board is balancing a land‑use entitlement that is allowed by special exception in agricultural zoning against neighborhood safety concerns and property‑value impacts. Because the FAA regulates aircraft operations, county review is limited to whether the runway meets local land‑use standards.

What’s next: The board did not adopt or deny the special‑exception permit at the June 3 meeting; staff and the county attorney confirmed the board may direct the item to return for a formal hearing where evidence will be received.

Ending: Planning staff said they would include the FAA documentation and the petition materials in the record if the board elects to schedule the hearing.