Says Helistop Was Not Properly Established And Permitted

The Florida Department of Transportation has send a "Cease and Desist" letter to the owners and management of The Concessions Golf Club in Bradenton, FL ordering the club to stop all operations to and from its helistop.

FDOT said in the order that the golf club did not "comply with state and federal statutes and regulations regarding the establishment and operation of a helistop/airport ... The Club must cease all air operations until it has complied with all relevant statutes and regulations,” according to the letter.

The Bradenton Herald reports that the club's owners submitted plans for the helistop last year, and it has been working its way through the permitting process in Manatee County, FL. The application said only two daylight flights per month would be conducted from the LZ, which was being requested by a single, unidentified club member. The paper reports that the Manatee County Planning Commission recommended approval of the helistop in April.

A final vote of the full county commission was to have been taken on May 5, but it was postponed until June 2 because the full board was not present at the May meeting. Helicopter operations at the club have not surprisingly been strongly oppose by residents in the nearby Panther Ridge equestrian community.

But the real problem lies in that there have been more than two monthly operations from the helistop despite the lack of proper permits. Cindy Bray, who lives in Panther Ridge, told the paper "they're basically using it as an airport."

Establishment of an unpermitted helistop is a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida, and there are federal laws to consider as well. The Concessions could be facing fines of up to $25,000 from the State of Florida alone.

An attorney for the golf club said they to not try to attract helicopter operations at the club, and the club has asked that they be stopped until all the paperwork is finalized.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.dot.state.fl.us