A new 30,000-square-foot hangar under construction at the Naples Jet Center is drawing criticism from residents and scrutiny from Naples City Council members, who are questioning whether the project aligns with the airport’s official long-term development plans.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, City Attorney Andrew Dickman referenced an opinion letter he wrote regarding the airport’s Utilization Plan, last reviewed and approved in 2021.
Dickman said the documents lacked clarity, vague language, and color-coded maps with legends that didn’t provide enough detail.
The utilization plan is meant to guide the airport’s development over the next five years with specific projects outlined.
“Strictly construing the applicable provisions in the City’s adopted comprehensive plan, the City Council did not specifically approve the Naples Jet Center Project. The specifics of the Naples Jet Center were approved by the Design Review Board, which was established by Ordinance 03- 10047, adopted on May 7, 2003. Comparing the diagrams from the Design Review Board approval, the current configuration of the Naples Jet Center footprint is not consistent with the Utilization Plan approved by the City Council in 2021,” Dickman wrote in the letter.
Councilwoman Beth Petrunoff recalled that during a prior meeting, the council made it clear: "No new hangars." Yet construction at the Jet Center is already underway — a project that did receive approval from the city’s Design Review Board .
The Naples Jet Center shared with Gulf Coast News what is part of this expansion project:
"The project provides several important improvements to the Jet Center facility – new offices and conference room space, areas for pilots and passengers to relax before or after their flights, as well as additional apron space for aircraft. In keeping with the approved Airport Utilization Plan, and responding to the need for reductions in flights during quiet hours, we were able to add hangar space, encouraging more overnights and fewer flights during quiet hours."
Still, many residents argue the approval process lacked transparency.
“This hangar will add significantly to jet volume traffic, which is something we’re very concerned about,” said Mary Young, president of the Old Naples Association. "So the question is this: why was the largest project that will definitely have an impact on our jet volume, not listed in the utilization plan as an upcoming project?"
Martin Horneck, a resident of Aqualane Shores who lives under the flight path, said the increase in jet traffic has been disruptive.
“The noise has more than doubled,” Horneck said. “I go to the other side by my house, and I have every minute the plane going over my head, how can you enjoy the outside of your house?”
Councilwoman Petrunoff admitted she still doesn’t really know what this project includes — how many planes it could house, or how it might affect jet traffic and noise. She would like the Naples Jet Center to come to the council and explain what exactly is being built and how it might impact the community.
Vice Mayor Terry Hutchison pushed for more accountability. He made a motion asking the city attorney to use his resources, or even get outside legal help if needed, to "not secure the required approval from the city council for the Naples Jet Center project."
The motion failed with only two “yes” votes.
Mayor Teresa Heitmann said she doesn’t blame the Jet Center, adding that the approval process itself was unclear.
In the end, the project is moving forward, but the council made it clear they want more oversight next time.
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