Three months ago, multimillionaire hotelier Patrick Nesbitt requested the County Planning Commission delay its hearing for his helicopter landing pad permit after 1st District Commissioner Michael Cooney said his inbox was “overflowing with letters of opposition.” Nesbitt has since pulled out all the stops to quell his critics — even extending one-on-one invites to discuss concerns with each opponent he could identify.
“People keep saying that my permit will set a precedent for more helicopters, but it will actually do the opposite,” Nesbitt said. “I am setting a precedent for following procedure. Because my property is so unique, hardly anyone else will be able to obtain a permit if they go through the same procedures.”
The new hearing, set for September 25, will determine if Nesbitt is granted a helistop permit — which the Federal Aviation Administration defines as formalized helicopter landing areas without fueling or support facilities. Although residents complain about helicopters flying over Montecito and Summerland regularly, no permitted landing pads exist in the area. If Nesbitt’s request is approved, he will be the first to legally land and take off from his property off Lambert Road.