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Letter to the editor

Contested airport changes given green light

The Aviation Authority unanimously agrees changes are necessary for Peter O. Knight to keep up with growth.

By Emily Nipps, Times Staff Writer
Published February 15, 2008

DAVIS ISLANDS 

Over the next few years, Davis Islands residents will actually see and hear the effects of the controversial changes at Peter O. Knight airport, rather than just debate them.

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority unanimously voted to approve the new plans, despite some homeowners' arguments that the changes will make the community noisier, dirtier and more dangerous. About a dozen people spoke out at last week's authority meeting, begging the six board members to deny or delay the plans, which call for 175 feet of added pavement to the airport's longest runway and new hangar construction along the Seddon Channel.

However, just as many residents and pilots who supported the changes spoke at the meeting, saying the additions were necessary to keep the airport safe and useful. Many felt their complaining neighbors were making a fuss over nothing.

"I don't see what the big deal is," said resident Holly Thomas. "We get a lot more noise from Gasparilla."

The airport must comply with federal safety rules by moving one of its runways' northeast end line 175 feet away from the channel. To retain its current length, the authority wants to add 175 feet of pavement to the other end, making up for the loss that will come from adjusting that line.

The authority also wants to add three hangars, making room for 116 planes on a waiting list. Right now, about 125 small planes and jets are based at Peter O. Knight.

Lori Diaz, who lives near the airport, said the waiting list and new hangars are proof the airport is expanding its operations, which she thinks will be detrimental to the neighborhood's safety and property values. Another neighbor, Warran Cohen, said the airport's noise studies were misleading and that the 175-foot runway addition closer to homes, as well as an increased frequency of planes landing and taking off, will wreck neighbors' quality of life.

In the end, the Aviation Authority board - which includes Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio - felt the changes were necessary to keep up with Tampa's growth.

"Every aspect of the city of Tampa moves forward," Iorio said. "No city takes an asset and moves it backward."

Runway construction, which will cost $1.8-million, will begin this fall. The three new hangars will be added through 2011, and more may be added in the future.

Emily Nipps can be reached at nipps@sptimes.com or 813 226-3431.

[Last modified February 14, 2008, 22:54:44]