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Collier County commissioners increased their opposition to possibly relocating Naples Airport, supporting a resolution against two sites near Ave Maria and rejecting the airport authority’s request for assistance.

The Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 13 unanimously supported Ave Maria Civic Association’s resolution to oppose two of four sites the Naples Airport Authority’s consultant suggested as possible locations — Sunripe-owned property south of Oil Well Road and Immokalee Regional Airport, both close to the 5,000-home Ave Maria.

“The newly created civic association for Ave Maria has expressed dissatisfaction with the options and some of the things that came forward from the consultants and from the Naples Airport Authority for the relocation of that airport,” Commissioner Bill McDaniel Jr. said as he made a motion to support Ave Maria’s resolution.

The resolution noted the Sunripe property is undeveloped and relocating to that site or the existing airport would “bring a lot of disruptive noise” to Ave Maria and the surrounding area, where more than 6,000 single and multifamily homes are scheduled to be added to Ave Maria’s 5,000 existing homes. The association contended it would only “relocate the airport from one heavily residential area to another” and just relocate noise and other complaints that prompted the search for a new site.

Commissioners also unanimously rejected the NAA’s request for assistance. In a Dec. 30 letter to commissioners, the NAA said its consultant, California-based Environmental Science Associates, “a respected aviation planning and environmental firm,” that has a Tampa office would need “expertise and collaboration” from county staff and commissioners to prepare its site selection study. The consultant is being asked to provide a detailed evaluation of various criteria for the four sites, including a ranking, financial analysis and alternatives for public outreach and engagement.

Tarmac at Naples AirportCounty Manager Amy Patterson told commissioners that would include environmental and zoning assistance from growth management employees and added, “My expectation is that the lion’s share of this would fall to our regulatory folks relative to land use and other requirements because all of the sites obviously are outside of the city.”

McDaniel suggested sending the NAA “a polite thank you, but no. We’ve already rendered an opinion on this.” He noted that Commissioner Dan Kowal is the commission’s liaison and has been keeping both boards updated.

“I have no interest in devoting time and energy and expense to all of these things,” McDaniel said, noting if the NAA contracts to purchase property, it must come before the county commission anyway and hire its own consultants to conduct studies.

Kowal, whose district covers the airport, told commissioners he already told the NAA the commissioners’ position, that they weren’t interested in participating in the relocation study at this point.

Commissioner Rick LoCastro took a harder stance.

“My short answer would be to the city and the folks that are taking a look at the airport, if you have concerns where the airport is now, do your own homework, pay for your own studies, hire your own experts. Don’t lean on the county. We’re not partnering on this,” LoCastro said. “… We know that this is a hot topic, but it’s more of a hot topic for the city of Naples.”

LoCastro didn’t want county staff to “do the heavy lifting for them” when commissioners aren’t interested in a “deep dive” at this point, so “it would not be proper.” The county can continue to monitor the situation through Kowal.

Commissioner Chris Hall added that until the city and NAA figure it out, “I have zero interest in being a part of it.”

There was no vote, but Commission Chair Burt Saunders asked Kowal to tell the NAA their position.

It was just the most recent indication of the county’s opposition. In August, commissioners agreed not to host a joint workshop with the NAA to discuss a possible relocation to unincorporated Collier County, saying they weren’t interested in moving the airport to the county.

In its letter to commissioners, the NAA noted it was reaching out again because Naples City Council asked the authority to continue its exploratory study as due diligence, but not necessarily to move the airport. So far, the study has cost at least $398,000.

All four sites had environmental obstacles and require rezoning by the county. Construction wouldn’t start for eight to 12 years, and completion wouldn’t be until 2040 or later. Estimates range from $790 million to $1.6 billion, depending on whether it’s a general aviation or commercial airport — and the 2024 estimates are expected to increase.

The 81-year-old airport, which began as a military airfield, sits on roughly 1 square mile off Airport-Pulling Road. It’s self-sustaining, uses no taxpayer money and leases most of its 733 acres from Naples for $1 yearly. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, it generates $781 million annually for the area.

The NAA has spent years improving and monitoring noise and rewards pilots for adhering to Fly Safe, Fly Quiet voluntary 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfews. Most residents agree moving the airport isn’t a solution, aircraft technology is getting quieter and the NAA should work on reducing noise and pollution from leaded gas used by some aircraft. They also want the NAA to consider moving some flights to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. Airport tenants also are opposed to a move, noting their customers seek convenience.

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