Boulder City Resident Seeks Private Helipad Approval

City Planning Commission votes to allow text amendment, paving way for conditional use permit consideration.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A Boulder City resident has filed a request to build a private helipad on his 11-acre property, the largest single-home lot in the city. The Boulder City Planning Commission voted in favor of a text amendment that would open the door for the resident to apply for a conditional use permit to develop the helipad, which is currently not permitted in the R1 Single-Family Residential Zone. The proposed amendment includes several conditions the helipad would need to comply with, such as maintaining a 500-foot distance from neighboring properties and limiting operations to daytime hours.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tension between private property rights and community concerns over potential impacts like noise and reduced property values. While Boulder City has strict growth ordinances, this proposed helipad could set a precedent for future requests, raising questions about the appropriate balance between individual freedoms and collective interests.

The details

The resident, Casey Craig, owns the 11-acre property at 1001 Villa Grande Way and has already received approval from the FAA for the proposed helipad. Craig says the helipad would be for his personal use, with flights occurring a couple times per week when family or friends visit. The helipad would be located over 600 feet from the nearest neighbor and Craig plans to build a large brick wall and his own home to help buffer sound. The Planning Commission's recommendation will now go to the City Council for final approval of the text amendment.

  • On September 15, 2025, Craig applied for a zoning text amendment to develop a private helicopter landing pad and accessory hangar on his property.
  • On February 26, 2026, the Boulder City Planning Commission voted in favor of the text amendment.

The players

Casey Craig

The owner of the 11-acre property at 1001 Villa Grande Way in Boulder City, where he is seeking to build a private helipad.

Lorene Krumm

Chairwoman of the Boulder City Planning Commission, who expressed sympathy for both the property owner's rights and the concerns of nearby residents.

Nekeisha Lyon

Boulder City planner who authored a report analyzing the proposed text amendment and outlining the conditions that would apply to a private helipad.

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What they’re saying

“This is very difficult because I'm a big believer in property rights but I believe in everyone's property rights.”

— Lorene Krumm, Chairwoman, Boulder City Planning Commission

“While the text amendment would allow anyone with property zoned R1-80 to apply for a conditional use permit, there's only one parcel in the entire city that will qualify and that is my property.”

— Casey Craig

What’s next

The Boulder City Council will consider the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve the text amendment, which would then allow Craig to apply for a conditional use permit to develop the private helipad. If approved, nearby residents would be notified and have the opportunity to provide input during a public hearing on the conditional use permit.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex balance between individual property rights and community concerns, as Boulder City grapples with how to regulate emerging technologies like private helicopters within its strict growth policies. The outcome could set an important precedent for future development proposals in the city.