LABELLE – A request to lease property for an airplane hanger at LaBelle Airport led to a discussion about the use of airport space at the March 25 meeting of the Hendry County Commission.

Glenn Holt and Craig Hampton of SWAG Aviation requested a long-term lease at the LaBelle Airport to allow construction of a corporate hanger for storage of their personal aircraft.

Commissioner Ramon Iglesias said he was concerned they were planning a 6,400 sq. ft. hanger and currently have one Piper Malibu airplane. He said the plane doesn’t need a hanger that big.

County staff noted the applicants have stated they plan to purchase another plane.

“We want to focus on fuel sales,” said Iglesias. He said they had problems in the past with people using airplane hangers for storage of vehicles and other things.

“We found out instead of getting a warehouse, they were using airport hangers to store all kinds of stuff,” he explained. In one case, when a lease lapsed, the county had to clean out “all kinds of junk.”

 He asked for language in the lease to protect the county. Airport space is limited, and they want to maximize the number of airplanes using that space.

Commissioners agreed language in the lease should limit it to airplane use only and require minimum standards of upkeep.