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County Commission Set To Take Up Embry Riddle Airstrip Request In Rural Northeast Lake

    The proposed paving of a runway and potential future development of land in the Deerhaven area of northeast Lake County has drawn widespread community opposition.  Embry Riddle Aeronautical University of Daytona Beach is working through the approval process that could lead to the creation of a training facility on approximately 110 acres off Deep Woods Ranch Road, but area residents are roundly opposed.
    The Lake County Planning and Zoning Board in early May gave its approval to the plan, and the proposal is set to go before the Lake County Commission on June 3.  Up for discussion is Embry Riddle’s proposal to pave an existing, estimated 2,800 foot-long airstrip on the property and supplement the airstrip with a hangar and classroom.
    However, area residents have spoken out against the proposal, citing potential environmental harm and damage to the rural area’s way of life.
    Additionally, residents voiced concern that the dirt roads that serve the area, managed by the Ocala National Forest, are substandard to handle heavy equipment needed to both build a paved runway and also handle any increased traffic brought about by a developing collegiate presence. The property abuts the Ocala National Forest.
    Officials representing Embry Riddle have stated the Forest Service hasn’t opposed use of the roads serving the property, and county officials have supported the proposal, citing potential positive economic impacts.
    “There is an urgent need for high quality, high wage jobs in Lake County,” said Meg Brew, Director of Economic Development for Lake County. 
    However, it is unclear exactly how much economic impact the facility would bring to the county.  Officials with the university have stated the intention to fly Cessna 172 planes to the location.  The model is a small, single-engine model that is popular for training use.
    Future development of the site could include both EV and drone training operations, though those plans have been less specific. 
    The airstrip has been in existence at the location since 1987, and in 2006 was cleared by Lake County for private use.
    "There are plenty of other places to go," said Ian Smith while addressing the planning and zoning board on May 7.  "This project does not fit here."
    Representatives of Embry Riddle said every use they are considering is already allowed at the site, including putting up buildings and using drones, even though those specific uses aren’t currently planned, the school is simply wanting to pave the runway for safety reasons.
    "It has an existing FAA permit," said Tara Tedrow, representing the university.  "We are not anticipating a high-intensity use."
    Tedrow stated that the school’s intention is that the site will be mostly accessed by the airstrip, not via the roads servicing the property. The project will serve as a training facility, not to be used as a traditional campus facility.
    “If we can’t make safe access work, we can’t just do projects,” Tedrow said of the school’s need to go to the Forest Service and any other oversight agencies regarding appropriate road access.  Tedrow said the need for county approval is limited to getting approval to pave the airstrip.
    During that meeting, over an hour of speakers took turns opposing the project, which was eventually approved by the board, which has recommendation powers only. 
    The Lake County Commission will decide on the issue, and is set to take up the topic at its meeting on Tuesday, June 3.