Doctor Wants to Build Heliport on His Land

A Schnecksville resident whose request to build a heliport on his property was denied has filed an appeal in Lehigh County Court, North Whitehall Township officials said.

Township Manager Jeff Bartlett said the administration received a copy of Dr. Michael Selig's appeal on Friday.

In January, the zoning hearing board denied Selig's request for a special exception to build a heliport on his property at 5471 Route 309.

The board had a number of issues with the request, but ultimately denied his request because he altered his original plans by removing a runway. The board said the change nullified the Federal Aviation Administration's original approval for a heliport and airport. 

The property is zoned agricultural/residential. The runway would have been less than 1,000 feet from a dwelling.

Selig, a cardiologist and licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor, wants to use his private helicopter to transport donor organs, according to an article on Lehigh Valley Live.

Bartlett said the township is preparing documents for the court's review, which will then determine a hearing date.

The board made its decision after months of public debate where residents opposed Selig's proposal.

A resident at the board of supervisors' meeting on Monday said he believed it was a conflict of interest for solicitor Steven Miller to represent the zoning hearing board because he had previously represented Selig in another matter.

Bartlett said the issue was reviewed by the state ethics commission which determined there was no conflict for Miller to represent the township.