Heliport runs into trouble

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 | 9:29 a.m.

A proposal to put a commercial heliport in an industrial area in North Las Vegas is being appealed by the city staff, who say the Planning Commission erred in approving the proposal despite a state moratorium on new heliports.

The City Council is scheduled to hear the appeal on Jan. 21. The council set the date of the appeal on Wednesday.

On Nov. 25 the Planning Commission unanimously approved a request from Silver State Helicopters to allow the company to open a heliport at 500 E. Cheyenne Ave., which is at the intersection with North 5th Street and near the city's golf course.

The company is currently based at the North Las Vegas Airport, where it operates a flight school, runs tours and charters and offers air support for police departments.

Company President Jerry Airola could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but earlier he has said the company would leave the flight school at the airport.

Airola said the state moratorium doesn't apply to his request because the Federal Aviation Administration approved a private heliport for the property in 1981.

Planning Commission Chairman Dean Leavitt said the commission members agreed with that reasoning.

Marc Jordan, a city principal planner, said city staff believe the state moratorium applies because they have found no evidence the heliport is still in use.