Cease-and-desist order issued for Concession helicopter flights

The Florida Department of Transportation has issued a cease-and-desist order to immediately halt all air operations into and out of the helistop at The Concession Golf Club.

The order was issued for “failure to comply with state and federal statutes and regulations regarding the establishment and operation of a helistop/airport.”

The May 12 order signed by FDOT’s Alice Lammert, private airport and finance manager, was sent to John Weber, president of the C T Corporation System in New York. Among those copied on the letter are Denise Johnson, office of the FDOT General Counsel; Jeff Bowman, chief of Manatee Code Enforcement; Bruce Cassidy, manager of Concession Golf Club; Mitchell Palmer, Manatee County attorney; and Sheriff Brad Steube.

“The Club must cease all air operations until it has complied with all relevant statutes and regulations,” the order states.

Owners of The Concession, 7700 Lindrick Lane, submitted plans for the helistop in March 2015, and the request has been working its way through the Manatee County approval process.

Use of the helistop would be limited to two daylight landings per month, and is being requested for the use by one unidentified club member, according to the application.

In April, members of the Manatee County Planning Commission recommended approval of the helistop.

The permit was supposed to go to the Manatee County Commission on May 5, but the request was continued until June 2 because a full board was not present, said John Barnott, director of Manatee Building and Development Services.

Residents of the Panther Ridge equine community have strongly opposed the helistop proposal, saying it would disrupt the tranquility of their neighborhood and spook their horses.

Even though The Concession has not been granted a permit for the helistop, helicopter landings and takeoffs have been reported monthly, and in some cases more frequently. A helicopter was seen flying into The Concession as recently as Monday, said Cindy Bray of Panther Ridge.

“They are basically using that as an airport. It is frustrating that they are going for a permit, but they are flying without it,” Bray said Thursday. “If I see them flying again, I will call the sheriff.”

Establishing an unpermitted helistop is a second-degree misdemeanor, and may also violate federal law. Violators could be fined up to $25,000, according to the FDOT order.

The Concession Golf Club does not solicit helicopter stops, and has asked that they be stopped, Ed Vogler, attorney for The Concession, said Thursday.

The Concession has asked for a zoning approval from Manatee County, and once obtained, the developer will be able to seek approvals from the FAA and FDOT, Vogler said.

“We are in the middle of all those processes right now. We are entirely respectful,” of all of the approving authorities, Vogler said.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Cease-and-desist order issued for Concession helicopter flights."