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Airport ordinance changes fail as councilmembers cite operational concerns; pilot warns of FBO loss at Hamilton Owens
Summary
A proposed amendment to Richland County's airport code failed on a roll-call vote after councilmembers said they needed more time to understand operational impacts; a public commenter urged the county to preserve fixed-base operator (FBO) services at Hamilton Owens Airport.
A proposed amendment to Richland County Code Chapter 3 (airport) failed on second reading after several councilmembers voiced concerns about operational impacts and asked that the item not be placed on the consent agenda.
Councilmember Branham said he would vote no "partly to keep it off of the consent agenda for the next reading" to allow further study of operational impacts. Other members — including Councilmember Aline and Councilmember English — indicated they concurred with that approach, and the motion to adopt the ordinance failed on roll-call vote.
Before the ordinance vote, public commenter Franklin Schumpert addressed the council about planned changes at Hamilton Owens Airport. Schumpert identified himself as a longtime aviation professional and warned that losing a professionally run fixed-base operator could reduce traffic and harm operations. He recommended the county ensure an FBO remains at the airport and noted past litigation at other facilities did not involve the county because the county did not touch aircraft.
The airport ordinance discussion drew explicit dissent from multiple councilmembers and concluded without passage. The council did not take additional action on the public comment during the meeting.
