Davis Islands airport plans to move forward

TAMPA -- Plans to shift a runway closer to homes and add hangars to accommodate more planes at Peter O. Knight Airport were unanimously supported by Hillsborough County Aviation Board members this morning.

The six-person board, which includes Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and County Commissioner Ken Hagan, voted to allow the changes despite some Davis Islands residents' protests that the closer runway will pose noise and safety problems and the added hangars will be unsightly. Several concerned homeowners, as well as some who supported the airport's plans, argued the pros and cons of the expansion during an hourlong public comment period.

The $1.8-million plans call for moving the largest runway's northwest end 175 feet inland, away from the channel, to comply with federal safety standards. To retain the runway's current length and usage, the authority wants to add 175 feet of pavement to the other end, closer to some homes. It also wants to add three hangars through 2011, and possibly more in the future.

"Every aspect of the city moves forward," Iorio said before seconding a motion to approve the plans. "No city takes an asset and moves it backward."

- Emily Nipps, Times staff writer