Brea : Planning Commission Rejects Helipad Plan

Planning Commission members have turned down a request to build a helipad atop a three-story banking center, a project vigorously opposed by neighbors concerned about noisy helicopters flying over their homes.

In a unanimous vote, the commission Tuesday night denied the request by Security Pacific National Bank’s Operations Center at 275 S. Valencia Ave. The denial was made without prejudice, which means the bank can reapply without having to wait a customary one-year period.

Security Pacific spokeswoman Susan Taha said Wednesday that bank officials have not decided whether to appeal the commission’s decision to the City Council or to resubmit their plan.

To mollify residents, Taha said, Security Pacific had made several revisions to its proposal, including the elimination of a secondary flight path over Brea homes. In the final plan, helicopters would fly over vacant hills owned by Union Oil Co. and not any residences.

Noise was the major concern expressed by those who testified at public hearings attended by 200 to 300 residents.

Planning Commission Chairman Tom Davis said Wednesday that bank officials “made a large step forward” by eliminating the secondary and alternate flight paths. But the bank needs to specify how it would ensure that the helicopter flies at the altitude, dates and times it says it will, Davis said.

Commission member Carl Clausen agreed that enforcement of the schedules was not adequate and said he was “willing to listen to anything they have to say” should the bank bring another proposal back to the commission.