Palm Coast city council on Aug. 5 approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with Flagler County to address airport protection zoning and to coordinate review of proposals that could create airport obstructions or alter airport noise contours. The measure implements portions of Florida statute (Section 333.03) that require local airport hazard overlay regulation.

County staff had already adopted an airport protection ordinance and the ILA formalizes a review process in which the county will make determinations about airport hazards and the city will be invited to comment on proposals that expand 14 CFR part 77 "imaginary surfaces" or that increase airport noise beyond the adopted airport master plan. Council members debated alternatives: Vice Mayor Pontieri proposed requiring the county to make its ordinance retroactive to Feb. 2016 or else to create a joint airport protection zoning board; legal staff cautioned retroactivity could be legally messy. After discussion, council added a change clarifying that the city would be able to comment on any expansion of imaginary surfaces or noise contours into incorporated city limits. The motion passed unanimously.

Several residents urged caution, warning of noise and groundwater risks; staff said the airport master plan and a pending noise contour update were underway and that FAA requirements remain controlling for operations. The agreement does not change FAA authority but provides the city a formal role to comment on county proposals that affect the city's planning and land uses.

Outcome: Resolution approving the interlocal agreement passed unanimously; council asked staff to seek county agreement on proposed clarifying language (city to be able to provide comments on expansion of imaginary surfaces or noise contours).