Borough planning commissioners Thursday delayed voting on a tour operator’s eight-year push for a permit to construct a commercial heliport near 26 Mile Haines Highway, opting to first consult with the borough attorney. The application, brought forward by Big Salmon Ventures co-owner Scott Sundberg, has been repeatedly denied by both the planning commission and borough assembly since […]
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Posted inNews, Courts
Court rejects heliport appeal
A Juneau Superior Court Judge ruled against a bid to operate a heliport on Chilkat Lake Road, the latest twist in years-long attempt by a Haines outdoor recreation company to land helicopters at 26 Mile. Judge Phillip Pallenberg’s Dec. 6 decision upheld the Haines Planning Commission’s denial of a heliport permit requested by Scott Sundberg, the owner of Big […]
Posted inNews
Legal fees mount in heliport lawsuit
The Haines Borough has spent more than $13,000 to date defending itself in a lawsuit filed by a sister company of Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures over the municipality’s denial of a heliport at 26 Mile. Big Salmon Ventures, sister company of SEABA, filed the suit Dec. 29, appealing the assembly’s decision not to re-hear arguments for siting a heliport near 26 Mile […]
Posted inNews
Heliport OK’d for year-round use
The Haines Borough Planning Commission last week approved unlimited, year-round use of a 35 Mile Haines Highway heliport, though the owners will not be allowed to use the site for commercial tours outside of the heli-skiing season without an additional permit. The commission voted 6-1 to approve the three-year conditional use permit submitted by Mike Wilson, manager of […]
Posted inNews
No unlimited use for heliport
The Haines Borough Planning Commission narrowly decided March 10 to deny a landowner’s request for unlimited use of a heliport near 35 Mile Haines Highway, stating that minimal historical use doesn’t entitle the owner to land as many helicopters as he wants on the property year-round. The commission split 4-3 in the vote to uphold the decision by former […]
Posted inNews
Planners OK heliport at 35 mile
The Haines Borough Planning Commission last week approved a heliport near 35 Mile Old Haines Highway to be used for winter heli-skiing, but the applicant is pushing for unlimited, year-round use. Mike Wilson, general manager of Coastal Helicopters, co-owns the 35 Mile property with Alaska Heliskiing owner Sean Brownell. The two have been pursuing the conditional use permit since […]
Posted inNews
Heliport issue delayed 4 times
Since appearing on the Haines Borough Planning Commission’s agenda in October, the issue of siting a heliport at 35 Mile Old Haines Highway has been postponed four times. Complicating the question is the change in tactics from Mike Wilson, who originally applied for the conditional use permit in October. Wilson, who manages Coastal Helicopters, owns the property with Alaska […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
More heliport permits is irresponsible
The 35 Mile heliport conditional use permit application has landed back in the planning commission’s lap despite the applicant’s efforts to subvert the process. The issue of commercial heliports on private property will continue to come up until it is addressed and properly dealt with by the borough. The borough’s comprehensive plan specifically states that the […]
Posted inNews
Company sues borough over heliport denial
A local company denied a conditional use permit to operate a heliport near 26 Mile is appealing the decision in state Superior Court. In a notice of appeal filed Dec. 29, attorneys for Big Salmon Ventures said the Haines Borough’s decision on the matter was “based on prejudice, arbitrary and capricious decision-making” and “on improper motives.” Big […]
Posted inNews
Applicant claims right to heliport
A property owner at 35 Mile Old Haines Highway says he doesn’t need a permit to site a heliport there because the property has been used to land helicopters since 2008 and should be grandfathered in. Michael Wilson, general manager of Coastal Helicopters, submitted a conditional use permit application for a heliport in September. Wilson and Alaska Heliskiing co-owner […]