By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Williston City Council members gave preliminary approval this week to a 248-home subdivision that would be partially constructed in line with the end of the primary runway for Williston Municipal Airport.

            It appears from a map that perhaps half of Berkley Oaks would be constructed under the glide-path of jets approaching or departing from the airport’s runway, which is just under 7,000 feet in length.

            The portion of the subdivision in the glide-path of jets would be less than a half mile from the end of the runway.

            City Council President Debra Jones said the second and final reading of the ordinance to rezone the 47.9-acre Berkley Oaks won’t take place until after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviews the subdivision plan.

            Airport Manager Benton Stegall told council members a complaint has already been filed against the city by a person living close to the airport and he anticipates more complaints piling up if the subdivision is constructed.

            “I believe I had a conversation earlier this year dealing with a (state) code that prevented dense populations from being put on the end of a runway, just in case there was an in-flight emergency of some type or if a flight were to crash in this development. That code was put into place to mitigate the risk and damage,” Stegall said. “I don’t see how that could go forward in just those terms.”

            The council voted 3-0 to approve the first reading of the ordinance rezoning the property from commercial to mixed-use, but the second and final reading depends on what the FAA says about the project, and perhaps the Florida Department of Transportation allows in the glide-path of jets using the nearly 7,000-foot runway.

            Council member Elihu Ross is recovering from surgery and Councilman Michael Cox has been ill for the second council meeting. Neither were present for the discussion.

            The professional planner representing the developer, Covington FPC, LLC., Cathy Evaugh, said the company has submitted a request to have its plan evaluated by the FAA.

            Jones said subdivision property has been around a long time. It dates back to the 1960s. She suggested the city might have to require language in the deeds of future homeowners notifying them that a portion of the property lies in the glide-path of jets using Williston Municipal Airport.

            In an interview after the meeting, Stegall said it is his understanding that the developers of the subdivision would probably need to adopt some type of air space protection plan or airport protection plan to notify residents before they purchased land that they would be living in the vicinity of the airport, but he said he needs to reach out to FAA and DOT to find out what they would allow. Florida airports fall under the FAA as well as the Florida Department of Transportation in terms of rules and regulations.

            City Planner Laura Jones said she viewed Berkley Oaks as a positive improvement for a piece of property that no longer meets any of the city’s zoning regulations. Berkley Oaks would meet city regulations. She said Stegall’s comments were the first she heard that the airport was going to be a big issue. She said she has talked to other developers interested in that area of Williston.      

            “We’re all looking forward to this property being developed. We have seen it multiple times. Now we have a much better plan from a different developer, but the stipulation to get them to move on with this property is to give them the change in zoning,” she said.

            Evaugh said the property was first proposed for development in the early boom days of Florida when developers weren’t required to build roads or install water or sewer or sidewalks for future homeowners. She said it was the era when developers would take $10 down and $10 per month from people dreaming of living in the Sunshine State.

            Jones said she was caught by surprise when Stegall raised the question of whether the close proximity of the runway to the development would be an issue, but Stegall said Jones caught him by surprise when he found out a 248-unit subdivision, a portion of which would be under the glide-path of jets landing and taking off from the airport, was this far along in the process.

            Stegall said he apologized to Jones after the meeting for appearing to be shocked about how far along the city was with Berkley Oaks. He knew very little about it or what was being proposed for construction near the airport he manages.

            “It was a little shock. I expressed my concern. I will continue to work with city staff and see what they can do for everybody. I’d hate for that land to sit there and Williston needs houses,” Stegall said. “At the same time, we’ve got some other subdivisions coming in. If that was more like Camellia Plantation, we could do something with it. Until we know what state and federal regulations say about it, we really can’t say anything. We can’t really action anything with it. It was the first I heard of it and the first time I saw the plan or heard anyone was moving forward with it.”

            He said Jones later emailed him a portion of the city’s comprehensive plan indicating that high-density residential development means 12 dwelling units per acre. Covington is planning 5.8 dwelling units per acre. He said he doesn’t have a lot of knowledge about planning and zoning but he is learning.

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City of Williston Regular Meeting October 4, 2022; Posted October 6, 2022