Town Takes Firm Stand Against Helicopter Landings On Farmland

SOUTHOLD, NY — The same day a local North Fork winery owner pulled the plug on a controversial helicopter wine tasting event, the Southold Town board took strong action to warn against the planning of similar events, which would be in violation of the town code.

Residents came to Tuesday night's Southold town board meeting to raise concerns about helicopters landing at vineyards or on farmland.

"This is the next wave," predicted Jim Underwood of Laurel.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell agreed. "I have a real concern," he said, adding that the town would take "swift and severe action" against any business that tried to allow a helicopter to land on a vineyard or agricultural parcel.

To that end, Southold Town Attorney Bill Duffy sent a letter to Fly Blade, Inc, which is located on E. 34th Street in New York City.

Duffy said, in the letter, that he was writing in regard to reports that Fly Blade, Inc. has "advertised and intends to offer flights to wineries within the Town of Southold. Please be advised that the landing of helicopters is not an allowed use under the town code. The increased frequency of helicopter flights over the town has had a great adverse impact on the quality of life of the residents of Southold. The Town of Southold is committed to protecting the quality of life of its residents and enforcing zoning its zoning ordinance."

"Cease and desist"

In addition, the letter said, "The town demands that Blade Inc. cease and desist from illegally conducting flights to wineries within the town in violation of the town code. Should Fly Blade, Inc. fail to comply with this demand, the town is prepared to exercise any and all legal remedies available to ensure compliance with the town code."

After an outpouring of public protest, the owner of a North Fork winery told Patch Tuesday that he'd pulled the plug on an upcoming helicopter wine tasting event at his vineyard.

"I called BLADE and told them, do not send a chopper," Randy Frankel, owner of Shinn Estate Vineyards, said.

Instead of a one-time tasting event, which was initially planned for Sunday, Frankel said. "It will be zero times. I want to be a good neighbor. I listened and I want everyone to be happy."

BLADE has not returned emails and calls for comment but the event had been removed from their website on Wednesday.

On Sunday, a planned helicopter tour to a local North Fork vineyard for the wine tasting event had some residents seeing red. According to a post on the BLADE website, the tour was scheduled for Sunday and slated to leave from BLADE Lounge West at West 30th Street in New York City at 10 a.m. and fly to Shinn Estate Vineyards for a wine tasting, arriving at the Mattituck airport at 10:40 a.m. Tickets for the helicopter ride were listed at $345.

Some residents were livid over the prospect of yet another seaplane or helicopter flying overhead and shattering their bucolic quality of life for the purpose of a wine tasting.

After he was told the event would not be happening, Russell said, "I would hope, that in the future, all businesses in Southold won't give companies like this any consideration."

Russell said he'd had a report of another helicopter landing near another winery; he also mentioned a map that BLADE had created listing 8 landing sites other than the airport.

"We need to take any measures necessary to make sure no helicopter lands on any farmland in this town unless it's a crop duster," Russell said.

Councilman Bob Ghosio said while aircraft is allowed to land on open fields in New York State the issue would be if the town would allow it.

On the proposal, Russell commented on the "unmitigated gall of a western outfit trying to pair with a local business to bring helicopters into Southold. We are going to ask every business in Southold not to do business with these people. They are not being respectful of the community that supports you every day."

He added that he believes landing on agricultural lands is a use violation and said it was not the first time BLADE had advertised in town "and attempted to use Southold as a door mat. Doormats are meant to be walked on — and you're not welcome."

After hearing about the initial plan, Paul Pawlowski, speaking for owners of the Mattituck Airport, said the helicopter would not be allowed to land there and said neither he nor the owners had any prior knowledge of the promotion.

Residents speak out

At Tuesday night's town board meeting, Russell said the town board had discussed "drawing bolder lines in the town code."

Mattituck resident Teresa McCaskie, who chairs the town's helicopter noise steering committee, spoke at Tuesday night's town board meeting.

She requested that the town board review the current town code with regard to an aircraft landing in open farm fields, vineyards, or vacant lands, whether private or agriculturally preserved.

She commended the town board for their commitment to start addressing stricter code and enforcement.

"Many taxpayers want to discourage any misuse of air space and, most important, of our precious land," McCaskie said. "There is no doubt that BLADE is knocking at our door and they are looking to service the North Fork."

McCaskie said the Southampton helicopter advisory committee is asking Southampton to increase their penalties for landings; East Hampton's code prohibits landings anywhere but designated airports but the fine is "ridiculously low" at $100, she read.

The goal is to create a fine of $1,000 for a first offense with the same amount for each subsequent offense, she said; she asked Southold Town to consider the same fine schedule.

"One way for any code to be strong, aside from language, is penalty," McCaskie said.

McCaskie also conveyed "exciting" news, stating that New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a home rule bill meant to ensure participation of voters in any long term financial commitment should the Town of East Hampton wish to enter into an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its town-owned airport.

"This was a huge victory not only for East Hampton Town" but for the East End, McCaskie said. "Today is a victorious day for the East End."

Russell said Southold's town code prohibits aircraft from landing on agricultural conservation-zoned parcels. "We think it's clear but we are creating legislation to adopt that makes it bold and crystal clear," he said.

A person who has a helipad for an ag use cannot allow someone to use it for commercial landings; that is a violation of the town code, Russell added.

Laurel resident Margy Pisani, who lives on Peconic Bay Boulevard, and looks out over the airport, said she was upset by the idea of helicopter wine tasting tours. "Helicopters pollute our air and water. They disturb the tranquil quality of life we wish to preserve on the North Fork. We are already besieged by helicopters, sea planes, and private jets crossing over our homes en route to the South Fork. We need to control our destiny here on the North Fork."

Ghosio spoke out on the proposed tour Sunday night.

"One thing we don't need is more helicopters over our homes and landing at the wineries themselves shouldn't be an alternative," he said.

Landing at the winery itself is something Frankel, who bought Shinn Estate Vineyards in April, said from the first absolutely will not happen.

"I would never have a helicopter land on my vineyard. I would never allow a helicopter to land on my property unless it was an emergency. Why would I risk damage to the vines?" he asked.

Frankel also asked why he'd upset his neighbors. "So 4 people can come? I have 412 people here on the weekend, do you think I really care about 4 more?" he asked.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.