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Embry Riddle Withdraws NE Lake Training Proposal

     Embry Riddle Aeronautical University has pulled its request to develop a training facility in Northeast Lake County, but the school will move forward with plans to use the existing airstrip in the Deerhaven area for pilot training.
     Representatives of Embry Riddle on Tuesday addressed the Lake County Commission about the withdrawal, stating the school was simply going to use the property as it is currently permitted rather than seek potential future development of the site.
     “At this time, our team has determined that we will not pursue any uses on the property other than those permitted under the existing ordinance,” said Tara Tedrow, legal counsel for the university.  
     That current conditional use permit allows for the use of a grass airstrip at the property.  Embry Riddle will continue that use, as well as add a single hangar.
      “The original proposed expansion of the property’s use, however, to include the opportunity for future classrooms and research facilities exceeded the scope of that CUP,” Tedrow said.
     Those proposed uses could have included drones as well as autonomous vehicles.  Now Tedrow said any such Embry Riddle programs that would include such uses will be located elsewhere.
      In addition, Embry Riddle is self-imposing a variety of rules at the property, which is located off Deep Woods Road in the Deerhaven area.  Those include no flights after dark, no lighting of the runway, single-engine planes only allowed to use the estimated 2,800 airstrip, no use of the airstrip by anyone but Embry Riddle, and no flights during inclement weather.  Also, the school will work with the US Forest Service to improve road access to the property, which will also benefit surrounding property owners.
      “We appreciate you heard the concerns and responded accordingly,” said Lake County Commission Chairman Leslie Campione in response to Embry Riddle.  Campione’s district includes the area in question, and she was aware of area resident concerns about the project as well as potential environmental concerns.
     Campione also thanked the school for its willingness to "go beyond what you have to do" to be a good neighbor in the area.