DAVIS ISLANDS - The proposed runway extension and hangar expansion at Peter O. Knight Airport remains grounded at least until February.

Opponents have coaxed the city council into taking a closer look at the project. The Davis Islands Civic Association last week issued a resolution against the project reflecting the opposition of many residents who live near the airport.

"We're getting ready to go full blast on this," said Lori Diaz, whose neighbors' house was hit by a plane in a June 2006 crash.

More than 100 people signed a petition opposing the extension of the 3,405-foot main runway by 175 feet to meet federal safety requirements. The proposal would bring the runway closer to houses. The airport could meet the requirement with the existing runway by restricting some larger planes.

Residents also say construction of additional hangars along Seddon Channel would block water views that are part of the neighborhood's character.

"Such changes would be incompatible and detrimental to the current vision of the residential and recreational uses on Davis Islands," says the resolution, submitted to the council Thursday by civic association President Lisa DiVitto.

The resolution also says the association supports the airport "and wishes it a safe and successful future."

Council members asked city staff to explore whether the proposed changes require the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority to revise its master plan for the 110-acre property.

Council members said they also want to review what promises were made about airport development during the months-long debate leading to the city's March 1999 sale of the land to the aviation authority for $4.2 million.

"What happened in the past may affect what happens in the future," Councilman Charlie Miranda said.

The council agreed to ask the aviation authority to postpone voting on the project until after making a presentation to the city Jan. 17.

Louis Miller, the authority's executive director, said he would comply with the request. The authority already had postponed its vote on the project from November to January to accommodate the civic association's deliberations.

Mayor Pam Iorio is a member of the aviation authority board.

The authority has agreed to limit takeoff and landing practice between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. to reduce noise, and also said it will use landscaping to soften the look of the hangars.

"We've tried to do as much as we can to alleviate concerns and mitigate the impacts short of reducing the utility of the airport," said Edward Cooley, operations and public safety director.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.