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Commission debates private grass airstrip; owner says FAA cleared site and plans limited personal use
Summary
Petitioner sought a special-exception permit for a private grass runway on White Road; supporters and opponents spoke and commissioners discussed conditional monitoring; the commission heard FAA approval and community concerns about noise, safety and property values.
The Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission heard extensive public comment and staff testimony on SE2503, the petitioner James Haney’s request for a private grass runway on agricultural property along White Road.
Petitioner James Haney told the commission he has lived on White Road for 25 years and has been a pilot for about 20 years. He said the runway would be grass, private-use only, not open to the public, and would host a small single-seat or two-seat short takeoff-and-landing (STOL) craft. “This strip would be used during the daytime only,” Haney said, noting the aircraft he flies holds 12 gallons of fuel and can be described as "a golf cart with wings." He said he estimated "about 20" takeoffs and landings per month depending on weather and availability.
Haney submitted a Federal Aviation Administration airspace evaluation letter. He said he had worked with the FAA and the Brooksville–Tampa Bay regional airport and that the FAA issued a "no objection"…
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