![[STOCK IMAGE] A landowner has requested permission to keep using a helicopter pad on his rural property in northern Wasatch County near Woodland.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7cf15de/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x3024+0+0/resize/840x630!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F93%2Fc1%2Fcbb8a8c345d6a99c6f7f5481aeac%2Fadobestock-556323284.jpeg)
The county is ready to vote on a possible change to its rules about landing pads for private helicopters.
The topic has generated controversy because of disgraced local billionaire Trevor Milton flying his helicopter without authorization. His application to use a helipad at his Wasatch County ranch was denied last summer.
The planning commission last discussed helipad use in the county at a work session in early February. Milton attended that meeting virtually to defend his helicopter use and say his neighbors’ complaints amounted to “insane misinformation and lies.”
Last week, April 11, the planning commission recommended the county council change the code so private helipads are not allowed in any zone. Currently, residents can apply for conditional use permits to have helipads in remote areas of the county.
“A helicopter coming in and landing on a site creates a lot of noise because of their flight pattern and their landings and takeoffs and that type of thing,” Wasatch County planning director Doug Smith said.
The planning commission noted helicopter uses such as medevac and search and rescue flights will be unaffected by the county council’s decision.
Members of the public are invited to comment during Wednesday’s meeting. The public hearing about helipad use begins at 6 p.m.
