Pinellas shoots down Matt Geiger's helipad

The county votes 4-2 to deny the request by former NBA player.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY, Times Staff Writer
Published October 18, 2007

EAST LAKE - Matt Geiger's plan to build a helipad at his East Lake estate was dealt a major setback Tuesday when Pinellas County commissioners voted down his request.

Todd Pressman, Geiger's land-use consultant, said the former NBA player hasn't decided yet if he will appeal the decision in circuit court.

Geiger has been seeking permission for more than three months to build a helipad on his estate, which is on the market for $20-million. His 36-acre property is on the northwest corner of Keystone Road and Old Keystone Road.

The county staff recommended approval of the helipad as long as Geiger followed several conditions, including not flying at night and taking steps to avoid colliding with migratory birds.

There are no known private residential helipads in the county.

The commission was presented with a petition of almost 300 signatures from people opposing the project. Three people voiced their concerns to the commission Tuesday. Those concerns included safety, noise, the environment and property values.

Geiger met with neighbors in July to hear their complaints and to answer their questions.

The commission voted 4-2 to deny Geiger's request.

Vice Chairman Robert Stewart and Commissioner Calvin Harris voted in favor of the project. They said they didn't think the project would set a precedent.

"There aren't a heck of a lot of people that have enough land assembled to suggest such a mode of transportation," Stewart said. "There aren't a heck of a lot of people that could afford it if they did have the land."

But Commissioner Kenneth Welch said he was concerned about the effect on residents.

"This is a neighborhood and even though it's a different type of neighborhood, the idea of helicopters in neighborhoods just doesn't make sense to me," he said.

Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at 727 445-4181 or tel-khoury@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 17, 2007, 21:42:07]