Miami Lakes was placed on alert after town officials learned a county resolution to possibly expand operations at Opa Locka Airport could have a serious impact on residents’ quality of life.
Mayor Manny Cid called an emergency meeting last week to discuss Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman’s proposed resolution to direct the mayor to conduct a study to analyze existing services and potential growth opportunities at Miami International Airport and Opa Locka Airport.
The Town Council voted to appear before the County Commission at its July 6 meeting to oppose any expansion to commercial flights at Opa Locka Airport.
“It’s a serious matter because of the grave impact on the quality of life on our residents,” said Cid, who directed the town to write a letter to Heyman expressing the town’s position on her resolution.
According to the resolution, both airports should be the leading engines for jobs creation in South Florida, given their size, ease of access to multiple locations within Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroes counties and their airfield capacity.
The resolution also states that the county should work with developers or lessees to bring aviation and non-aviation related businesses to both airports to help them achieve their potential growth.
The study, if approved by commissioners, would determine whether such services are the highest and best uses of the airports in terms of job creation and ensuring both airports remain available for aviation users consistent with federal law.
For years, Miami Lakes residents were concerned about additional commercial and cargo flights at Opa Locka Airport but breathed a sigh of relief in 2001 when then-County Commissioner Miriam Alonso successfully sponsored a resolution to prevent additional flights at the airport.