The Recent Updates

On March 1, 2024, County Growth Services Director Chuck Varadin informed the engineering company representing Jumbolair of the following determination regarding the request to build more hangars at the Jumbolair airport. “Therefore, for the reasons previously noted, these hangars are not a permitted use on the suggested property at this time.

On May 22, 2024, Jumbolair attorney Robert Batsel wrote a lengthy response that contained the following paragraph. “Following our voluntary withdrawal of pending applications and in preparation for resubmittal, the Bulls plan to construct hangars adjacent to the Airport. Prior to our meeting in March, we submitted a draft site plan proposing 94 new hangars with specifications including sixty 60’ x 60’ hangars, thirty 70’ x 70’ hangars, and five 100’ x 120’ hangars (to complement the existing five 100’ x 120’ hangars that were previously permitted and constructed). Eventually, the hangar complex will constitute a portion of the forthcoming PUD and serve the community. Following our meeting and in response to your feedback, we have significantly reduced the size and scope of the initial site plan, which we will submit shortly. The plan will be limited to 22 hangars located on Marion County Parcel ID No. 14105-000-00, which is within the original licensed Airport adjacent to the original grass runway.

On August 12, 2024, County Growth Services Director Chuck Varadin informed Mr. Batsel of the following determination regarding the request to build more hangars at the Jumbolair airport. “Therefore, the proposed hangars may be developed on the noted property subject to pursuing either Option 1 by obtaining a policy 1.20 letter (i.e., a “letter of conformity” under Policy 10.1.5) that clearly delineates what was previously approved by the FDOT and the commercial use(s) as of April 7, 1994, or pursuing Option 2 by seeking a new SUP. (Note that Sec. 4.3.14(B) of the LDC outlines the additional materials2 needed for Growth Services to determine the eligibility to obtain an approved policy 1.20 letter.) Subject to obtaining an affirmative outcome under option one or option two, the development of the hangars will still be subject to Development Review approval for an applicable Major Site Plan.”

On December 12, 2024, County Attorney Matthew G. Minter reached the following conclusion after a legal analysis. “In consideration of the foregoing, I conclude that the Site Approval and Registration by FDOT of the Airport includes the right of the Airport owner to construct hangars within the Airport site. No other zoning or land use approvals from the County are necessary for the construction of these hangars. The Airport Registration does not exempt airport development from all County regulations, including those related to the building code; fire code, stormwater regulations, set-backs and building height restrictions. Therefore, I conclude that the application for site plan approval and building permits will go through the DRC review in the same manner as the five replacement hangars referenced above, in 2023.”

On December 12, 2024, County Growth Services Director Chuck Varadin informed Mr. Batsel and additional legal counsel for Jumbolair of the County Attorney’s conclusion as follows. “This letter revises my prior letter dated August 12, 2024 (hereafter, “prior letter”). The revision is based on the County Attorney’s memo (dated December 12, 2024) regarding the application (AR #32136) to construct 22 new hangars at Jumbolair-Greystone Airport (hereafter, “Airport”), further research, and revisiting the historical documents of the Airport (enclosures 3 and 4). Therefore, I agree with the County Attorney’s conclusion “that the Site Approval and Registration by the FDOT of the Airport includes the right of the Airport to construct hangars within the Airport site.” It should be noted that this interpretation only applies to this airport based on its original development and its unique circumstances. It should not be interpreted as applying to all private airports in the County.”