Consultant Says FAA Will Not Support The Move

In the first of four workshops designed to craft a new airport plan that is two years overdue, at least one member of the Venice, Florida City Council is pushing to have the local airport 'downgraded.'

The city purchased $70,000 worth of counting equipment for a study by DY Consultants, and then some members questioned the counting method. "I'm very disappointed. You've lost some credibility with us and some members of the community," said Vice Mayor Sue Lang.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that downgrading various airport criteria would supposedly discourage heavier jets from landing there, a move supported by a majority of the council members. It would also change the airport safety zones, removing several homes and a nearby golf course. But the consulting firm told the council that they would face opposition from the FAA for the move.

DY Consulting counted about 10,000 aircraft using the airport in the 5 month study, of which about 2 percent were 'Category C aircraft.' Company president Dennis Yap defended his study, saying the equipment used was the best he had ever seen. But, he said, the number of aircraft is not the issue. "Regardless of what the count is going to be, the FAA has strong opinion that this airport is a C airport," he said, adding, "That's the issue we should be dealing with."

A previous master plan, for which the council paid a different consultant $350,000, was scrapped when the homes were left in the safety zone. DY was paid $400,000 for the current study. The council hope to have a new master plan finished by January.

FMI: www.venicegov.com