City officials back new heliport site

Dan Kulin

Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 | 9:30 a.m.

A North Las Vegas helicopter company wants to move some of its operations to a heliport in an industrial area near the city's golf course.

But while proposed heliport sites elsewhere in the Las Vegas Valley have drawn sharp criticism from their neighbors in the past, company and city officials say this location shouldn't upset residents because the closest home is miles away.

However, a state moratorium on new heliports and a negative recommendation from city staff could be trouble for the proposal from Silver State Helicopters.

The city Planning Commission is scheduled to hear on Tuesday the company's proposal for a commercial heliport on the northeast corner of the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and North 5th Street.

Mayor Michael Montandon said the location is in probably one of the best areas for a heliport.

"There's no one that lives close by," Montandon said. "If you're going to put a heliport in North Las Vegas, put it at Cheyenne and 5th."

Silver State Helicopters President Jerry Airola said the closest home to the heliport site is 2 1/2 miles away.

Montandon said he would probably support the heliport if it came before the council, although he would want to research the proposal more before making a final decision. A Planning Commission decision on the heliport could be appealed to the City Council.

Silver State Helicopters, which operates a flight school, runs tours and charters, and offers air support for police departments, is asking the Planning Commission for a permit to use the land for a commercial heliport.

Airola said the land already has a private helipad, which was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1981.

The heliport would have between one and 10 takeoffs and landings a day, he said.

The flight school would remain at the North Las Vegas Airport, which is where the company is now based, Airola said.