Jacksonville EAAers Continue Working To Change Anti-Homebuilder Ordinance

August 9, 2007 — Jacksonville, Florida, EAA Chapters and members are continuing their fight to remove a city ordinance that unfairly prohibits residents from working on homebuilt aircraft within the city limits. Before the city Council met in late July, EAA Chapter 193 led a demonstration at City Hall featuring a banner tow that read, ?BAN THE EVERETT LAW? and signs calling for the ordinance to be overturned. (The ?Everett Law? is in reference to Edward and Norma Everett, whose persistent complaints resulted in the ordinance being adopted last year that prohibits anyone from tinkering on airplanes and airboats at their homes and requires the craft to be stored in enclosed garages.)

While the situation appears to be far from resolved, there are some encouraging developments, according to Milford Shirley, EAA Chapter 193 president. He reports that after the land use and zoning (LUZ) committee met this week, one of the council members expressed misgivings about the current ordinance to EAA members. Another member said he would consider amending the ordinance. A committee has been established to look at revising the ordinance, and Shirley receive assurances his group would be invited to participate in the dialogue.

?Next Tuesday is the regular council meeting and if anyone can come it will be good for the full council to see a big presence,? Shirley said.

Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of industry and regulatory affairs, went to Jacksonville in mid-July to meet with chapter members and to facilitate action strategies for repealing or changing the ordinance.