Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Transcript
Video
Agenda

About this meeting

Government Body
Planning Commission
Meeting Type
Planning Commission
Location
Boulder City, NV
Meeting Date
February 18, 2026

Transcript

57 sections (from 82 segments)

0:20 – 1:580

Heat. Heat. Down. Down. Down. Down. Down. Down. Down. Down. Down. Down. Down. Heat. Heat. 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?

1:560

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.

2:04 – 2:490

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?

2:47 – 3:120

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.

3:10 – 4:110

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?

4:090

Motion to approve. Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I.

4:17 – 6:170

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

6:14 – 8:140

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

8:12 – 10:110

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

10:07 – 12:050

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

12:02 – 14:010

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

13:59 – 15:580

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

15:56 – 17:550

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

17:53 – 18:280

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.

18:26 – 19:020

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.

19:01 – 19:350

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.

19:33 – 21:320

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

21:30 – 23:270

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

23:26 – 25:240

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

25:23 – 27:210

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

27:20 – 28:370

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

28:34 – 29:120

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,

29:09 – 30:420

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.

30:400

Slide number seven. Um,

30:45 – 32:450

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

32:42 – 34:420

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.

34:40 – 36:370

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.

36:35 – 38:340

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

38:32 – 38:560

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.

38:54 – 39:560

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.

39:57 – 40:350

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.

40:31 – 42:290

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

42:28 – 42:560

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.

42:59 – 44:580

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

44:55 – 45:160

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.

45:17 – 47:160

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.

47:13 – 48:500

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.

48:480

Mr. Hampton, your time's up. If you could just wrap it up within the next few seconds, please.

48:53 – 49:400

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.

49:37 – 51:360

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

51:35 – 52:300

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,

52:27 – 53:080

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?

53:05 – 54:210

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,

54:260

Bridget. Is there somebody on the phone waiting to speak?

54:29 – 56:280

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

56:26 – 56:460

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?

56:49 – 57:480

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.

57:49 – 59:460

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.

59:43 – 59:540

And that is the basis of this whole entire problem. Thank you for your time.

59:51 – 1:00:320

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.

1:00:29 – 1:01:300

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.

1:01:28 – 1:03:200

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?

1:03:18 – 1:03:420

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?

1:03:42 – 1:05:170

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.

1:05:150

Okay. 7025899629.

1:05:30 – 1:05:460

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

1:05:46 – 1:06:510

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.

This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.