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Good evening everybody. I'll call the February 18th, 2026 Planning Commission
meeting to order. May I have confirmation of posting and roll call,
please? >> Thank you. The meeting was posted in
accordance to Nevada open meeting law. All members are present with the
exception of member Rudd who's participating via teleconference.
» Thank you. Please stand and join me for the pledge
algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for
all.
I will now open the first public comment period. This public comment period must
pertain to matters on the agenda. You have three minutes to speak. Please come
forward and state your name. >> Anything?
» Is there any particular agenda items we're working with here or just what I
want to say? It can either be regarding the minutes
or it can be regarding the proposed zoning amendment item number two.
» Um, uh, Chairrum, also just additionally for clarification, there is a specific
public comment period for the item after this.
» Yes. >> Yeah. So, you can do it now or you could
wait. It's there's a public hearing on item number two, but this public comment
period at the beginning is strictly for items on the agenda.
Members viewing at home can also call in to 702-589-9629.
There's still a 30 second delay at home, right? Okay. Once again, this is public
comment. Anybody wishing to speak? Seeing and hearing none, I'll close the
public comment period and move to item number one for possible action. Approval
of the minutes of the January 21st, 2026 regular meeting. Do I have a motion?
» Motion to approve. >> Second.
» I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I.
» Any opposed? Motion carries. Item number two is
matters pertaining to a proposed zoning zoning ordinance text amendment.
City planner Nikishha. Uh good evening chair, members of the
commission, Nikisha Lion, uh planning manager with the community development
department. So item number two is for a public hearing and consideration on a
proposed text amendment to recommend to the city council to authorize uh private
helports as a conditional use within the R180 zoning district uh subject to
certain conditions. Uh Casey Craig, the applicant and property owner of an R180
zoned lot. Uh he's submitted this application for consideration by the
city with the attent intention of if the zoning um tax amendment is approved by
the city council that he would submit a conditional use permit for consideration
by the planning commission to develop a private helicopter landing pad and
accessory hanger on his property that's located at 10001 Villa Grande Way.
Currently, the R1 single family residential zone does not permit or
conditionally permit the use of private helports or any other similar aviation
type uses. The H hospital zone is the only zoning district that conditionally
permits helports. Uh these are used in conjunction with a medical facility.
The Boulder City Hospital that's located at 901 Adams Boulevard is under the Hz
zoning designation and has an approved conditional use permit for a helicopter
landing uh area. Otherwise, the Boulder City Municipal Airport is the only area
that allows for the operation of helicopters and helports as a public
airport. as shown on the screen. Uh, currently the R180 zoning district
applies to 36 lots within Boulder City. 34 of which are located um within
Boulder City, subdivision number 11. This is east of Georgia Avenue and north
of Vakerero Drive. Sorry. Uh, the remaining two lots uh includes the
applicant's property that's at 101 Villa Grande Way. Uh that's the northeastern
most parcel that you can see um at the top of the map on the screen as well as
in the agenda packet. And then 1400 Utah Street uh to the east of the Boulder
City Cemetery is also zoned R180. Uh to understand how the use is approached
from a planning and zoning perspective, staff reviewed how other jurisdictions
within Southern Nevada regulate this use in residential areas. Uh this is
detailed beginning on page 12 of the agenda packet. To summarize, currently
unincorporated Clark County allows for helports as a special use in their R80
zoning district and there's certain conditions that apply to uh the special
use permit and that's uh noted on page 13 of the agenda packet. Otherwise,
there are no other jurisdictions in southern Nevada that permit by right or
through a special or conditional uh permit. This type of use in a
residential zone. This type of use is usually um a conditional conditional or
special use uh that's allowed in commercial industrial or public
institutional zoning districts and then subject to certain conditions.
Uh given the proximity to uh residential areas with respect to specifically noise
impacts, city staff retained uh Kaufman Associates to prepare a noise modeling
technical brief. And this begins on page 32 of the agenda packet. This brief
outlines uh Federal Aviation Administration, so FAA accepted
methodologies for evaluating aviation noise and assessing land use
compatibility. It also summarizes the FAA noise modeling requirements for
public use airports and analyzes proposed noise levels based on different
operational frequencies and times of day. Uh under the uh airport noise and
capacity act of 1990, local jurisdictions are preempted from
regulating aircraft noise uh in regards to public use airports. However, this
federal um preeemption does not apply to private use facilities. So because of
this uh specific proposal is for a private use helport. Uh it remains
subject to local zoning regulations and so the city's noise ordinance would
apply per city code. The maximal uh maximum permissible sound level for
receiving residential or other noise sensitive use is 70 uh dBA LEQ. So
dbaleq this refers to the average sound level that's me measured in a weighted
decibb over a minimum 15minute period in accordance with national sound level uh
meter standards. So sound levels at 70 dBA LQ represents a moderate constant
noise level roughly equivalent to a washing machine, hair dryer, vacuum
cleaner, lawn mower, similar um sort of noises. Uh the noise study evaluated
three representative helicopter types, small, medium, and large to compare
potential uh noise impacts based on aircraft size, including uh the specific
helicopter that is proposed to be used on the property.
So, as shown on the screen, these representative helicopters um sound
levels would exceed the 70 dBA LEQ requirement up to a roughly 100 to a
little over 200 foot radius from the uh perimeter of the helellipad uh dependent
on the helicopter. And then specific to the applicant's
property and the proposed helicopter that uh will be flown, the modeling
software shows that the sound level will be expected to exceed that 70 dBA LEQ
requirement up to a roughly 400 to 450 foot radius.
So based on the modeling results, um maintaining a setback of up to 500 ft
from the nearest noise uh sensitive receptor would allow a private
helellipad to remain within that 70 dBA LEQ uh maximum threshold.
Based on staff's uh analysis, the noise modeling brief, and the applicant
submitt, the proposed amendment uh to title 11 chapter 3 would add a
helicopter as a conditional use in the R180 zone subject to several conditions
that's outlined in the agenda packet. Uh the first is that a letter of
determination by the FAA must be provided which states that the proposed
helicop um helport will not adversely affect the safe and efficient use of
airspace. Uh that letter must state that there are no objections by the FAA and
may list conditions or may not have conditions and any of the conditions
that apply must be met and maintained throughout the duration of this use on
the property. Um, all flight operations must be conducted in the daytime. So
that's between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. So nighttime flights would
not be allowed based on the proposed language.
The uh perimeter of the developed helipad must maintain a minimum distance
of 500 ft from any adjoining real property boundary of a residential or
noise sensitive use. And then the private helport can only be operated by
the property owner um or an occupant tenant. Uh commercial, public transport,
charter or rental helicopter operations would not be permitted.
Uh as proposed, the 500t minimum separation from the perimeter of the
helellipad to any residential or other noise sensitive um property boundary
would significantly limit where this use uh could occur within an R180 zoning
district. Um, this standard would effectively limit eligibility to a
single property that's currently zoned R180, which is the applicant's uh
property at this time. Uh, if approved, the proposed tax amendment will solely
establish regulatory standards under which a future conditional use
application may be considered by the planning commission. Uh the proposed
ordinance language is subject to change pending additional legal review by our
city attorney and then any additional recommendations that's uh made by the
planning commission uh here tonight if any. Uh chapter 33 of title 11. This
provides the applicable standards and findings that must be made for a text
amendment to evaluate the potential impacts of a private helport within the
R180 zoning district. City staff utilize these standards to further analyze the
proposed use. uh per city code, the factors for consideration in making
findings for a proposed text amendment includes if the proposed amendment is in
general conformance with the adopted uh city master plan and if the proposed
amendment promotes the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of the city
through the consideration of impacts to existing land uses, adjacent areas,
utilities, noise, drainage, and the character of the existing neighborhoods.
uh staff finds that the proposed zoning amendment does not require amendment to
the adopted master plan and does not conflict with the goals and objectives
of this document as this specific type of use is not addressed within the
city's approved master plan. Uh regarding promotion of health, safety,
moral and the general welfare of the city. Uh usually the evaluation of these
factors for consideration are not applicable to a general uh zoning text
amendment as the proposed amendment does not authorize or approve a specific use
on a specific property when we're looking at text amendments. However, due
to the limited potential applicability of the proposed amendment in the R180
zone and mitigation of factors through proposed conditions, staff provided this
analysis uh forformational contextual purposes to the commission as well as
the public. So, this is detailed starting on page 17 of the agenda
packet. Just to summarize, as previously stated, the R180 zoning district applies
to only 36 lots within Boulder City, 34 of which are located in one subdivision,
and the majority of this subdivision is developed with the exception of four
lots that are vacant. Uh, two lots that are located outside of this subdivision
include the applicant's property and then um 1400 Utah Street. And as
proposed uh with the proposed conditions, the 500 foot minimum
distance requirement from the perimeter of the helellipad to any real property
boundary of a residential or noise sensitive use would effectively limit
the applicability to only the um applicant's property at this time. Uh
currently zoning adjacent to the areas zoned R180 are residential or
governmental. Uh at this time staff does not anticipate in anticipate any impacts
to vehicular traffic. Um impacts to airspace would be regulated by the FAA
regulations. The proposed zoning tax amendment
includes the requirement that the applicant must obtain a letter of
determination by the FAA as previously stated uh to determine that the proposed
private HELA port will not adversely affect the safe and efficient use of
airspace. As stated, that letter needs to state that there are no objections by
the FAA um with or without conditions and then any conditions uh would that
are required within that determination letter must be met and maintained
throughout the duration of the use. Uh there are no anticipated impacts at this
time to util utilities. And then regarding noise, as we've um previously
discussed, uh Coffin Associates did evaluate potential noise impacts
associated with the proposed private helport on the surrounding residential
areas um and assess compliance specifically with the city's noise
ordinance. And so based on those findings, again, that's where we came up
with that 500 foot setback from the nearest noise sensitive receptor to um
the uh landing pad or helipad. and that would allow the helicopter to remain in
compliance with that 70 dBA LEQ threshold. Uh there are no anticipated
impacts on drainage indicated at this time. The existing neighborhood that's
near Villa Grande Way uh includes predominantly single family one-story
residential homes that's located to the west of the property. Um and the uh
adjacent properties to the north, south, and east are all vacant. The property to
the east and the south are zoned uh GP uh government park and the property to
the north is federally regulated. Uh further evaluation of uh sight specific
impacts for each of these factors would occur through the applicable permitting
process. So that conditional use permit, building permit, fire permit, uh
drainage study if that was required, should a proposal be submitted for a
specific property if this text amendment were to be approved. Uh during the
applicable permitting process, uh compliance with building code, fire
code, and other applicable provisions within title 11 and city code would be
evaluated. Uh this item was noticed in conformance
with city code and state law. We have received uh seven written public
comments which have been provided to all the members of the commission uh roughly
reflecting half in support of the proposed tax amendment and half opposed.
Uh so the request before the commission tonight is to hold the public hearing,
deliberate and make a motion to either recommend approval or denial of the
request using the draft motion language that is on page 19 of the agenda packet.
city staff um including the city's airport manager, Marissa Dub, we're
present. We can answer any questions that the commission may have. The
applicant and property owner, Casey Craig, um and legal counsel, Rod
Woodbury, they're both present and they can answer any questions that the
commission may have. Also, they do have a short presentation for the commission.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Nikesha. Um does the
applicant want to come forward and present? I do.
» Come on up. >> I would love to. Thank you so much.
» And uh I was telling some of my friends here, I
feel like I'm at a job interview. I put on a tie
and got all fancy. Um but uh
uh it's great to be here and thanks for having me tonight. Thanks for the
opportunity. Um, I'm uh privileged to be here with you as the
planning commission. Thank you.
» Just just in case. >> Yeah. Privilege to be here at the
planning commission. Staff, friends, neighbors, and all who have come to the
meeting tonight. Thank you for being here. Um, I am Casey Craig. I'm here to
explain my application for the text amendment to allow a pathway
for the application to receive conditional use permit for a private
helicopter pad. Um
slideshow we've got upgrade. Thank you for doing that.
» And uh this is where I switch. >> Yes.
» So I first moved to Southern Nevada 25 years ago. Uh since we moved here, we've
always wanted to live in Boulder City. We did that just uh two and a half years
ago. We moved to Boulder City and we've just absolutely loved it. And we bought
this property uh in uh the spring of 2022, in February of
2022. Um speaking to this slide, uh the
resolution, I think it's really really uh simple. Um and as we go through my
presentation, I'm going to speak directly to these items. Uh must have an
FAA approval. Just makes sense. uh only operate between 7 am to 900 pm. Perfect.
500 foot required setback. No problem. And no commercial traffic. It's for
limited use of the owner and occupant only.
So I'll let that be our guide. Uh let's go to slide number two.
On slide number two, uh we own the property through my family trust and
like I said, we bought it uh in February of 2022. It's 11.65 acres. It's zoned
R1-80. Currently, we're building one single
family residential home and it's our hope that someday our children would
come live by us and could occupy some of the land that's there. So, until that
would happen, we are holding on to the entire piece of property to uh chase
that dream. Uh I'm really happy to be here and the reason is because I think
this amendment really works. The amendment achieves sensible
protection of everyone's property rights. The amendment ensures compliance
with all current ordinances and rules. And because
uh isn't that really the question? Can this be done and at the same time
preserve the property rights of everybody around us? And the answer is a
solid yes, it can be done. So this topic tonight, which is the text amendment, it
would define the rules upon which a parcel of property like mine could apply
for the private use helicopter landing pad. So while the text amendment isn't
specific to just my property alone, my location which was shared by by Nikisha
by staff is the only one in the entire city that can comply with the proposed
text amend amendment as it's written and that was done strategically and and
intentionally. Um this is important.
So it means we're not going to have private helicopter pad proliferation all
over. Right? We'll talk about that a little bit more. So, ever since I was a
young boy, I've always wanted to fly like many, many others. And when I was
able to, I went and got my pilot's license and I um quickly transitioned
into flying helicopters. And earlier in 2025, I was standing at
the property at the the far the far uh north.
Yes, that would No, that would be my southeast corner and I was looking out
across the the vastness of the desert and I thought, you know, this property
is so unique. You could probably put a helicopter pad
here and it could probably comply with all
FAA requirements and you could probably it's far enough away you could probably
contain the noise on the property. So I looked at the Boulder City Code
and uh the very first requirement was to go to the FAA
which makes sense. The FAA is all things aviation, so we need to get their
approval on it. And uh we made an application. Uh Sean Fleming, who's here
tonight, is my civil engineer, and he helped me lay out the plans and uh we
put a package together and uh we followed all the guidelines and we gave
it a try and happily the FAA, it took about 5 months, but they sent us back an
approval, which was a a little victory for us. So
what does that mean? And it means that it passed all their requirements of
proximity, airspace analysis, noise requirements, which for the FAA is
actually 5 dB more stringent than Boulder City
and uh environmentals. So that brings us here to tonight to be in this very room
and the next step is how do we navigate through the requirements of Boulder
City. So let me throw up slide number three.
Um, so my intent tonight in sharing this
presentation with you is to really clear up some rumors and misunderstandings
because we don't know what we don't know until we learn otherwise. We're just
guessing. Um,
I intend to share the correct facts and uh we'll use the text amendment for the
road map like I discussed. So FAA approval number one, that's done and the
approval is on file with the city and I hope that you have had a chance to look
at that and we'll come back to that because it's very very important. It has
to do with flying over neighborhoods. Hours of operation 7 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
which is number two. Uh absolutely not a problem. Um that's as easy as we just
follow that rule. Uh I'm going to go to slide number four to talk about number
three which is the 500 foot setback required to comply with the noise
ordinance.
So talking about the 500 foot based on the noise study done by the city for
which uh I'm grateful the staff did that. Thank you. It's important because
it establishes the correct sound distance. Minimum distance set back of
500 ft from the nearest property inside of a sensitive noise use area. We comply
with that. We don't have a problem with that at all. Um so let's talk about that
noise because that's probably the biggest concern that's been voiced is
this going to be really loud. So what are the facts? Well, requirement three
of the proposed tax amendment surrounds being able to comply with the noise
ordinance in residential zones. The noise ordinance test and rules are to
maintain an average sound level of 70 dB or less in a minimum of a 15-minute
period which I believe uh you all are familiar with to give you an idea that
is city traffic or it's conversation at 3 feet. Um it also means that in that
15inut minute period you are under 70 dB more than you are over 70 dB. That's
important to consider. So, what does it take for a helicopter landing or
departing to comply with 70 dB average? Well, based on the noise study,
and that's the correct science, you need a 500t setback.
It means with a 500 foot setback, the 70 decel limit average stays 100% on the
property. That's really important. We keep that that red perimeter line which
is the the uh the 70 decibel limit inside of a
15-minute period taking off and landing stays inside of that red line and that's
at 450 ft. The the extra 50 ft to make 500 was given as a buffer.
What also is very important is to note that on the noise study we got kind of a
strange ice cream cone shaped looking thing there. Um that was because there
was a misunderstanding. Uh the consultant thought that we would be
approaching from the south along that red line and landing and then departing
to the north along the blue line. That's not what the FAA approved us for. Um we
are we are what we asked for and what we intend to do is depart according to the
blue arrows on the slide there and that keeps us um away from the neighborhoods.
So uh let's see slide number five.
So I've got some additional asurances when we actually get to where we're
applying for the conditional use permit. They are to minimize impact. I've gone
to great lengths to establish visual and sound barriers between the pad, the
landing pad, and the nearest homes. This additional noise reduction from a
barrier was not factored into the noise study. The noise study doesn't take into
account that my house is being built. We have a very large concrete wall being
built and a a helicopter hanger being built. Um the US Department of
Transportation sound wall barrier standards and it's like the all the big
sound walls built along the freeway in Henderson
indicate that we will reduce the noise by another 20 to 25 dB.
Also, additionally, we're not just providing 500 ft, we're adding another
142 feet, which is 642 feet. That is
» over two football fields away >> with as much as a 30- foot tall
structure between anybody else and the helicopter pad. So this is like hold out
your thumb two football fields away and the whole
thing's gone. But you won't be able to make go away
because there's a building in between you and the pad. Right? So yard crews
running their blowers next door are louder than this.
We're talking about two football fields. So,
» this is a view from a couple of the closest homes
and we've got my picture on top of it, so I can't quite
but uh yeah, 111 Stone Canyon, 113 Stone Canyon.
And uh this was my architect's best
uh take at trying to stand at the property line and look back at the
proposed at at what would be the hanger and what the the house will be. And uh
it's all blocked from view. So here's another positive about 500t
setback. And this is the facts. While yes, the text amendment would allow
anyone with a property zoned R1-80 to apply for a conditional use permit,
there's only one parcel, and we've talked about this in the entire city
that will qualify, and that is my property.
So really, we're making a pathway for one private use helellipad in the entire
township. That's just it. further with the slow growth ordinances we follow or
no growth ordinance. I don't see another situation like this
in my lifetime. What more if you were at the very edge
of town? If you're not at the very edge of town,
you would have to fly over something to get to your pad, which means you also
would not be qualified. So the 500 feet is very important.
» Slide number seven. Um,
» so coming back to the FAA and what I'm
trying to demonstrate with this picture is any worries that the helicopter is
going to fly over residential areas. If anybody says that,
it's fear-mongering because it's just not going to happen. We got approval to
fly out into the great wide open just like you see on this slide. Um you never
have to go over the neighborhood for any reason. Uh so that's why this works. The
property is very unique. You can come and go without ever having to fly over
anything but desert. Uh I like what the noise report says at
the end of the recommendation. It also says that uh a lot of the noise is
subject to pilot technique. I don't know if you read that little nuance at the
end of the recommendation. And uh that's a big deal. Um because of the way this
sits, you don't have to come in really steep to come over a mountain or a big
hill and drop in. You come up very nice and slow up to the pad and you set down
and it mitigates noise as much as possible because you maintain a barrier
between you and the neighborhood the whole time. So,
um, uh, visual and a sound barriers, um, an
additional 142 feet. And I've heard it also mentioned that there's going to be
massive dust problems in the neighborhood from it. Well, 642 feet is
a pretty good dust distance barrier. And uh I'll tell you the dust has been
mitigated because the helicopter pad we had to follow FAA standards when we made
that that application. It's a concrete 40 by 40 pad
and then it has another compacted earth and gravel perimeter that is 20 ft on
all sides. So it gives you 80 feet across. And uh I believe you me the dust
has been mitigated cuz that's in my backyard and I don't want it dusty
either. So, we're going to make sure that's not a problem.
So, that takes us to number four, which is operation limitations on on the
proposed text amendment. Um,
oper operation limitations only to be operated by the owner occupant. Cannot
be a commercial helport. So, this is part of the FAA approval and staff
alluded to this. Um, what we requested and what was granted
is what the FAA calls a prior permission required to land.
That's a fancy word for saying it's private and restricted to only the owner
of the property. Right? So, what does this really mean? It means that the
frequency and cadence of helicopter coming and going is very limited.
And I'll be completely honest with you all.
We may fly two or three times in a week when we're really excited and I have
grandkids here from out of town and friends and family around and say,
"Let's go for a ride. Let's go. Let's go um go explore."
Then there's going to be other times when it doesn't fly for five, six, seven
weeks at a time. It just won't. I mean, who in here has a boat? Do you use your
boat every week? You just don't, right? So, also worth mentioning, and this
could be important at some point, the landing pad does become an emergency
landing and medical evacuation location on the FAA charts if ever needed.
So, if there's a a uh an emergency and they need to get someone out, it shows
up and it is open to uh medical evacuation if that was or emergency
evacuation, which which will that ever be needed? I don't know. But it's uh it
didn't cost the city anything and it's available.
So, that covers the text amendment, right? 1 through four. And um I do want
to address what's going on in the neighborhood because I know that's
important to everybody. I personally have taken the time
to visit every neighbor's home on the adjacent street to thoughtfully share
what we are doing and speak to concerns except for one household whom I was not
able to contact because they're going through medical challenges and I was
told they could not meet. We've very thoughtfully done our best to address
concerns the best way we can while working to still accomplish our goal.
Even to the extent of redesigning the entire site plan, changing our driveway,
moving the hanger around almost 100 ft to further hide any visual and block
sound. So, we've really really tried to be uh courteous in trying to uh arrive
at this this uh destination. So this is slide number eight. In
visiting the property owners, I was able to prepare a map
and I obtained initials of those who have no objections to the proposed
amendment or helicopter pad. There's 21 property owners. You'll see there's I
think 24 actual numbered homes, but there's 21 property owners.
Um 17 of the 21 neighbors for a total of 81%
expressed no objection. 62% were willing to initial the map.
There are three households I did not ask to initial as I know they are less
supportive. Four households said they would rather
not initial but were not opposed. And the 13 were happy to initial.
Those who preferred not to initial, I have put the date of my visit down and
marked them in yellow. But I would like to share with you what
those individuals told me. And um this is
this is the map here
so you can see it. And it is slide number eight in your handout.
So of those four, this is what I was told.
I won't initial, but I also won't object or come to any meeting and complain.
Honestly, I'd rather you build the helicopter pad and not your house
because the helicopter of pad affects me less.
So long as it doesn't fly over my house and the noise is contained in the
distance, I have no problem. But I rather not initial because I have been
neighbors with somebody for many years and I know they are not supportive. So
I'll just pass. But it doesn't affect me. I have no problem.
I'm for property rights and if the noise is contained, I think you should be able
to do whatever you want. It's your property.
I don't have a problem with it. But I've been neighbors with so- and so for many
years. I just don't want to be in the middle of anything. Fair. Fair.
I don't have any problem and would be happy to initial, but since my spouse
isn't feeling well and could not be there be here to listen, I'll just wait
till then. I followed up twice to see if that spouse is feeling better and they
I've been unable to get that appointment. That's 82% of households.
Okay. Um,
moving on. Slide nine. So,
super excited like I said and uh I've managed to calm down
because of our unique unique location and the surrounding circumstances along
with neighbor understanding support. It works. We can comply with every rule and
therefore enjoy this dream that I have while not infringing on the rights and
dreams of others. Everyone gets the same right to enjoy their property within the
same code that we all adhere to. >> So in summary,
um FAA approval for the helellipad is received.
Uh we will comply with the 7 a.m. to 9 9:00 p.m. hours of operation.
will exceed the 500 foot required setback per city noise study
thereby enabling even a greater reduction in noise
and we are putting up the barriers 30 ft tall and 20 ft tall above the landing
pad. So it's going to be a distant car on the
highway for a moment and it's gone. Um, for the limited use of owner and
occupant only, it will be an FAA private landing pad that's already been granted.
No commercial traffic and I talked about total of 81% neighbors expressed no
objection, 61% initial, no objection. I personally met with everybody that was
available. So, I would be happy to answer some
questions.
» Thank you, Mr. Craig. Um, if the commission is okay, I I think I would
rather open the public hearing first and then come back for questions to the
applicant and or andor staff just in case a matter is brought up that we
would need to address. Does anybody have any objection to that?
So, thank you very much for your presentation and at this time um I would
like to open the public hearing on proposed zoning ordinance text
amendment. >> Thank you.
» Thank you. >> Yeah. And I I look forward to coming
back at the end. >> Yes. Thank you. Anybody wishing to
speak, please come forward and state your name.
Before
I become shy, I thought I would get up. Shyness is a big problem.
Hi, my name is Mike McKe. I actually live uh on Villa Grande about a block
from Casey's place. Casey and his lovely wife's place. Uh also fly and have
looked at what he's doing there. It looks to me like he's
uh worked pretty hard to dot his eyes, cross his tees, and I have no objection.
I've been asked to read a neighbor's letter into the record if uh that would
be okay. This is from Brent Buckner. Dear planning commissioners, my name is
Brent Buckner. My family owns 107 Stone Canyon, right next door to the proposed
private helicopter landing pad at 10001 Villa Grande Way. My backyard looks
directly into the applicant's property. I want to express my strong support for
this project. The applicant has gone out of his way to position his house in the
plan hanger, so they act as a natural sound and sight barrier between the
helicopter pad and my property. As well as for all the other neighbors whose
land directly abuts his, I really appreciate the extra thought and care
that has gone into reducing any potential impact on us. Further, based
on the city's noise modeling report, it's clear that the proposed operations
daytime only and infrequent flights keep all the noise levels well within the
Boulder City noise ordinance. If we are honest with ourselves, a report shows
full compliance with the local and federal rules. Because of this, I
believe the applicant should be able to enjoy all of his property rights and not
violating anyone else's in the process. I'm in favor of approving this
application. Unfortunately, I'm uh won't be able to attend the February 18th
meeting, but I would appreciate it if this letter could be read into the
record on my behalf. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Brent
Buckner. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. McKe.
» Hi, my name is Kevin Seavor. I live at 110 Stone Canyon and I have no
opposition to the private helport. Uh my neighbor who couldn't be here
tonight uh asked if I could read his statement into the record. Dear members
and planning commission, I'm writing to express my full support for the proposed
private helport on uh Villa Grande Way in Boulder City.
As a dulylicicensed physician practicing medicine in both Nevada and California,
I have resided at 116 Stone Canyon for over 5 years and and am a neighbor to
the proposed site. I have reviewed the city's independent noise modeling
report, including the 15minute weighted continuous sound level contours.
The science presented in the report is clear and compelling. Under the modeled
conditions, daytime only operations, limited flights per day, north south
flight tracks from subject property. Sensitive noise levels are expected to
remain entirely on the subject property and will not exceed the city noise adort
ordinance limit of 70 dB. The contours depicted in exhibits 2
through 4 confirm that no significant noise exposure is anticipated for
neighboring homes. As a medical professional, I'm particularly attuned
to the community health and quality of life considerations.
I'm confident there will be no adverse noise impacts on me, my family, or any
other residents in the vicinity. I believe the proposed helport represents
a responsible low impact private aviation use that is fully compatible
with the Boulder City Code. I regret I'm unable to attend the February 18 meeting
in person, but I respectfully request that this letter be read into the record
on my behalf. Sincerely, Dr. Michael Stowe.
» Thank you, Kevin.
Good evening. My name is Steve Hampton. Um,
I'm opposed to the helicopter coming in and I've submitted a letter to you all
or a package. I assume you've all read it or seen it.
Um,
we requ, you know, we we we are not in favor of the cup or the zoning change.
We came to Boulder City because we like quiet and a nice neighborhood to live
in. Mr. Craig's helicopter is a twin turbo shaft B105,
basically a jet engine helicopter. Its decibel rating by the FAA is 91.
When it's doing its thing at a steady rate,
it'll reach over 106 dB when it's taking off and probably when it's landing.
Any of that exposure at the 106 level is a in is not permissible by ocean noise
landing noise ratings because it was built prior to 2002. The
helicopter that Mr. Casey has does not meet FAA stage three or stage four nose
compliance uh levels, noise compliance levels.
After his helicopter, if he's taking off, after it clears that 20 or 30 foot
wall, we're going to get the full brunt of everything that helicopter is putting
out. Even as he's flying away, the noise is coming back at us, as is the wash and
everything else. Um,
we just don't want to have to deal with that. We are the closest property. I'm
at 111 Stone Canyon. So, our property is the 642 ft.
If you look at this picture, it's in your package. It It looks close, doesn't
it? It's It seems when we're standing there, they're very close. When his
construction construction team is out there, we can hear almost hear them have
conversations when they're using their saws and their equipment and waking us
up at six o'clock in the morning with their backup alarms, which I understand
is code. Um, the noise is there. The helicopter is not going to be quiet.
Um, on November 2nd of last year, we were in our backyard and Mr. Craig's
helicopter did fly in to the area and it would be somewhere in this point of this
picture and he hovered for 15 20 seconds. We couldn't hear ourselves talk
to each other. There was four of us in the backyard.
Now I you know I know there's going to be a more of a of a distance is 500 ft
but I think that noise gets out of that 500 ft. We would like to request the
planning commission come to the residence, have Mr. Craig fly his
helicopter over, and you all listen to how loud it really is because this noise
study doesn't do it. Real life is what does it
in in in closing, you know, we request we want to request to keep the
residential neighborhood in a nice quiet environment.
Um, we don't want it. >> Mr. Hampton, your time's up. If you
could just wrap it up within the next few seconds, please.
» Um,
we urge the planning commission to look at everything that needs to be looked
at, but we would really appreciate you going the other way. I have one final
point, if you'd let me make that. The Boulder City Airport is a less than
a 10-minute drive away from his property and my property.
So I I guess why do we need another
helicopter pad in Boulder area when it's a 7 and 12 to 10 minute drive to go get
your helicopter and take the kids flying and take them home whenever you get back
to the airport. Other than that, I guess I don't have
anything else. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Mr. Hampton.
I'm Barry Gold. I live at 103 Stone Canyon Road. My property also faces the
uh Craig's property and I am wholeheartedly supportive of his
endeavor. Uh I never met Mr. Craig or Mrs. Craig until after they started
moving dirt. and you know he I kind of feel like
we've uh dodged a bullet. There have been many efforts to build
uh five homes which is basically uh zoned for currently but there have been
efforts by the realators to try to reszone this property to have up to 20
homes. And luckily uh we've dodged a bullet and uh
you know as I said I never met him but most of the the concern centers around
noise. Uh all of these charts were kind of based on the fact that we're talking
about flat terrain. It's not flat. Where he's positioned the helport is below his
home. Maui's got uh walls and a home and an office that block the sound. And when
you uh look at some of the online available
sound propagation calculations, you come up with a sound at his property. Uh
that's basically about the sound of uh of a refrigerator.
And that's outside. No one's talking about inside where most of us are. And
inside you're probably not even going to be able to hear the helicopter and you
won't see it because it's below the ridge line. It's not going to be flying
over the wall. It's going to be flying away from the wall and down. If if
you're going east or northeast, it's away from the houses. So scientifically,
I don't believe there's any reason to say that the noise is going to be
excessive. I mean, OSHA allows 85 dB for an an 8h hour workday. So, I mean, what
we're talking about is the noise level in a quiet residential community such as
we have. Uh, I'm also kind of surprised, Steve, that your Facebook photo is you
next to a helicopter. But nonetheless, I'd like to uh close
and saying there's no reason to not support it. When I flew F4s in Vietnam,
» people talked about the turning JP4 into noise and we made a lot of noise. But in
those days, people said that was the sound of freedom. Now we've gone full
circle and people are suggesting that the noise is a problem even if they
can't hear it. So, I'd like to close and say thank you for your time and I urge
the commission to wholeheartedly support this request and recommend approval.
Thank you. >> Thank you.
Again, this is a public hearing. Does anybody else please come forward and
state your name? >> I'm not going to do a repeat. Just got
my
I'm Kurt Goodfellow, a longtime resident of Boulder City over 35 years almost.
And um I don't live over there where that's going to be. And so I'm not
really qualified to speak about that. But I just wanted to say something about
the character of Casey Craig and Courtney Craig. These are people if they
say they're going to do it, they're going to do it. I've known them for a
long time and uh and as as you've heard here,
they make every effort to exceed what they say they're going to do. And and I
just want to let you know, they are the kind of people that do that. And I've
been really grateful to be able to to work with them in a few different
things, especially in the aviation world. And obviously, I I support what's
going on there, just because I believe I believe in property rights. I believe
that they've made every effort to uh to mitigate any issues that people have. I
think they've gone far above that and um and so if I were a neighbor over there,
I would 100% support it. Thank you,
» Bridget. Is there somebody on the phone waiting to speak?
» Okay. Yes, please come forward.
Good evening. Uh Matt Reagan at 108 Stone Canyon Road. Um I'm right across
the street from it all and and I support the uh building of the helellipad. Um I
I think that although I'm not a helicopter person, I
am an aviator and I I think that the noise level actually I thought of all
helicopters, it's not a very noisy helicopter. I'm out at the at the
airport daily. Of course, you know, a lot of these noise I would assume are
very close up is where you're getting it. But now that you're at a distance,
we've lived in our house for almost 13 years. So, I'm very familiar also with
the pro property. It's, you know, this property is very unique. It's probably
one of the largest land properties that we have here in Boulder City. And so, we
do have a lot of distance. I've hiked it ever since 2012.
And I've just been, you know, I've been out there just recently and so there is
there's the distance. It's it's um and I believe that it will be
um right within the limits of the sound. Now, one of the things that I also like
to add is that, you know, every day as living in a neighborhood, you're, you
know, you hear noises that we're not free of, you know, a vacuum blower or a
weed blower or the car, you know, someone has a race car or a race boat or
whatever the noise is. So, the fact that we'll hear a noise does not mean that
it's, you know, the end of the world. We all have to just accept that we live in
close proximity to somebody else. We don't live out in the woods someplace.
So I really don't think that. So as far as my own personal opinion, I say a
little bit of noise is that if I hear something,
I hear it and that's not going to be the end of the world if I just happen to
hear a helicopter, an airplane or a boat start or my dog, you know, a dog barking
or anything else. There's no more irritant than that. So it's just the
fact of just living in a neighborhood. So but and so I do urge the passing of
this. Thank you. >> Thank you, M.
Thank you, Mr. Reagan. Anybody else?
» Afternoon. Thanks, guys. Sean Fleming, 1588 Carnushi Court. Um, I'm vested in
the project because I'm Casey's engineer. But, uh, two things I wanted
to say was one, I'm a fax base manager. I'm an engineer. I just can't get away
from it. I think you guys did a wonderful job and faxes on a paper. You
should use the facts and I think the facts support themselves.
Also, if you go to your 22, the zoning map up there,
there's three parcels. I happen to live right across the street from the other
parcel that is zoned R180. I would still be supportive of this change if one of
those properties or if someone buys the lot south and makes it available based
on the facts. I'd be totally supportive of this. So, thank you.
» Thank you, Mr. Fleming. Again, this is a public hearing. Is
there anybody else wishing to speak? You can also call in. The number is
702-589-99629.
Hello, my name is Casey Gallagher. I live at 117 Stone Canyon Road. I also
own the lot of 115 Stone Canyon Road. I'm worried about lowering my property
value because all of a sudden I have an airport next door to me. Now there's a
perfectly good airport 10 minutes down the road and I'm worried about lowering
my property value. I have my family has lived there for 26 years.
They we bought the property in 1999 and this has driven a wedge in this
entire neighborhood. You have got neighbors against neighbors looking at
who wants to have a helicopter pack, who wants to make nice with the guy building
the compound here and who doesn't want to make nice with the guy building the
compound. And the whole thing is getting out of
hand and it's totally ridiculous and it's horrible for the neighborhood.
And this is the biggest problem that is confronting the neighborhood right now
is it's tearing it apart because this guy wants to put a helicopter when
there's a airport right down the road. And that is the basis of this whole
entire problem. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Miss Gallagher.
Anybody else wishing to speak in this public hearing?
The phone number to call in is 702-589-9629.
Seeing and hearing none, I'll close the public hearing and bring it back to the
commission for any questions or comments uh with with staff or the applicant.
Go ahead. >> I'd just like to say that um when I
first moved to Southern Nevada in 1986, my first job was uh as an engineer for
use aviation, which at that time was at the south end
of the the strip. So I even though I'm not a pilot pilot I have had experience
being around um fixed wing and helicopter aircraft
and uh from I think the application is very
well done and it's uh you know it's complete and I commend the city for
bringing in a third party consultant because when anybody hears the the word
helicopter the first thing they think of is noise. Um, but I think that that uh
noise issue has been uh I think it's been addressed very well.
Um, so I u I'll be supporting this. Thank you.
» Thank you, Commissioner Deresa. Any other commissioners want to comment or
have any questions for the applicant or staff?
Um, I don't have any questions either. I think staff did a phenomenal job. I
think um, Mr. Craig did a phenomenal job. This is very difficult because um,
I'm a big believer in property rights, but I believe in everyone's property
rights. So, I really sympathize with um, Mr. Hampton and um, that that is a very
nice neighborhood. However, based on the facts, this is a I just want to remind
everybody this is a text amendment. There's many many steps to take before
it would be allowed. One of the things that um a conditional use permit if it
gets that far, um it's a it's a it's under conditions. So if there were um
noises that exceeded the decibel level, it could be revoked. So I think at this
initial stage, I I will also support it. Um I believe that Mr. Craig, I I walked
the property. I am going to make my decision based on the facts and um and
support this initial step. And I just want to thank Mr. Craig
and staff as well for the thorough um information that was provided.
With that being said, do I have a motion?
» I'll make a motion. I move to approve resolution 1277
which is in performance of the findings as section
339 of the Boulder City ordinance.
» I'll second. >> All those in favor?
» I >> I. Any opposed?
» Motion carries. Item number three is monthly progress
report on development aotments. Um, so on January 27th, the city council
approved the six replacement allotments for the remaining vacant lots in the
Beaser Homes development. So that's a Diamond Ridge subdivision, Boulder City
uh, subdivision number 114. Thank you. Thank you, Nikesha.
Our final agenda item is public comment. This can be on any matter. um prior to
opening it up, I just wanted to mention that Fritz McDonald was a longerving
planning commissioner and um ended up moving to Texas and I
just wanted to send our regards and wish him well. And it was unfortunate that it
was so fast we didn't have an opportunity to thank him and present him
with a certificate of appreciation. But I would like to just acknowledge Fritz's
service to the city of Boulder City and the planning commission and wish him
well. With that being said, I will open final public comment. This can be
regarding any matter. You can also call in at 702589
9629.
I I'll have to wait for the third I was told last time I talked too fast. I have
to wait for a 30 second delay. >> Okay.
7025899629.
» Can I share one more thing? >> Absolutely.
» It's just it's just eating at me. >> Absolutely. Mr. Craig, go ahead. It's
public comment. You have three minutes.
It's been said that
» this is just a this is on principle. It's been said it was put in a letter to
all that uh on November 2nd, 2025, I did flyovers of the property. That was a
Sunday. I was uh with my clergy, my community
church. My daughter thought she was going into
labor. We took her and my son-in-law to the hospital
and uh we took care of our grandson for the night. I don't know why Mr. Hampton
keeps saying that I did that and I sat in his living room and I told him
it wasn't me. I don't know who it was, but I didn't fly that day, but he keeps
putting it in writing. So, I just just on principle. I just I just want to
clear that up and thank you for the motion, the second, and the the uh um
affirmative vote.
Any other public comment?
Seeing and hearing none, meeting adjourned.