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Commission approves 30‑year ground lease for large hangar complex at Flagler Executive Airport
Summary
The board approved a 30‑year ground lease with Upstate Companies LLC for a 3.5‑acre pad at Flagler Executive Airport. The company plans a 51,750 sq ft hangar complex (estimated $4 million private investment) for aviation maintenance, storage and related services; the board discussed but did not remove flight training as a permitted use due to federal grant assurances.
The Flagler County Commission on March 2 approved a ground lease between Flagler County and Upstate Companies LLC to build a four‑unit metal hangar facility at Flagler Executive Airport.
Roy Seager, airport director, described the proposal as a 51,750 square‑foot hangar complex with 19,200 square feet of associated office space on approximately 3.5 acres on the airport’s southeast development area. The project will include a large apron and taxiway connectors; Upstate Companies estimated its cost at more than $4 million and said the tenant will privately fund construction.
Applicant Brian Zazak said one of the units would house an avionics shop relocating from Daytona and another would serve as the owner’s primary hangar; two additional units will be offered for lease to aviation businesses. The county and airport director said the ground lease would limit uses to aviation‑related businesses because the property is inside the airport fence, and fuel sales would remain under airport control.
Commissioners questioned whether flight training should be explicitly excluded. Airport staff and counsel advised that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Florida Department of Transportation grant assurances generally require airports that accept federal/state grants to offer access to legitimate aviation uses and to avoid discriminatory exclusions; staff therefore declined to remove flight training from the list of permissible aviation activities.
After public comment and discussion, the board voted to approve the ground lease agreement and directed staff to finalize lease documents and conditions.
Ending: staff will present the executed lease and next steps for permitting and construction sequencing at a forthcoming meeting.
