Dania Beach Commission Expected to Ground Runway Expansion Deal
DANIA BEACH (CBSMiami) – Dania Beach Commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday on whether to void an unprecedented deal that would have resolved a long standing fight over a runway expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and residents who live near the airport.
The runway settlement deal would have paid more than 800 Dania Beach homeowners 20-percent of the value of their homes, however the deal is now in jeopardy.
The reason? The FAA rejected the one-time payouts to residents. The money would have been compensation for the excessive noise created by the expansion of the south runway and in exchange, the residents would waive their right to sue. It would have cost the FAA about $48 million dollars but the FAA nixed the plan.
Residents who live closest to the runway said they want Dania Beach to revert to a 1995 settlement that offers homeowners less but requires the county to consult with the city on noise mitigation and places operational restrictions on the airport.
In order to revert to the 1995 agreement, the commissioners would have to unanimously vote to toss the 2011 settlement agreement.
The airport's director says no matter what Dania Beach's commissioners decide, the county is planning to continue work on the nearly $800 million runway expansion project. The $790 million runway, which will rise 65 feet over U.S. 1 and run parallel to Griffin Road, is scheduled to open for commercial jetliners in 2014.
According to the FAA, an expanded runway will increase the airport's capacity for take offs and landings, and reduce delays for passengers.
The City Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Dania Beach City Hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Blvd.
