Village warned to withdraw helipad approval as flights allegedly continue in South Blooming Grove
As a result, the letter says the village must take action.
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News 12 has learned the Village of South Blooming Grove has been formally notified that it must withdraw approval for a controversial helipad built on property once owned by Mayor George Kalaj — or face possible legal action.
In a letter sent last month to Mayor Kalaj, attorneys for the Town of Monroe wrote that the village’s planning board improperly approved a site plan and subdivision for the property at 58 Fort Worth Place, now owned by Fort Worth Holdings, LLC.
The letter states the approval violated New York state law because the property is located within 500 feet of the Town of Monroe, triggering a legal requirement that Monroe be notified and allowed to weigh in before any approval was granted.
The town attorney’s office also cited “various other legal failures” related to what it described as “an illegal helipad" which "lacks any FAA notice or approval.”
As a result, the letter says the village must take action.
“Accordingly, the Village must nullify and withdraw any previously issued approvals in relation to the Subject Property and comply with the above referenced provisions of the General Municipal Law,” the attorney wrote.
The letter goes on to warn that failure to act could lead to legal action.
“In the event that the Village fails to act and properly remedy the defective approvals, the Town shall pursue any and all remedies available under law,” the letter states.
Despite that warning, neighbors say helicopter flights continue. Several residents have sent News 12 videos showing helicopters landing and taking off from the property just days ago.
While the property is now owned by an LLC, according to election documents obtained by News 12 Mayor Kalaj still lives there. News 12 has reached out to him multiple times for comment but has not received a response.
The Federal Aviation Administration previously told News 12 the helipad was built in violation of federal law because no application was filed. News 12 has again asked the agency what enforcement action, if any, will be taken.
News 12 also contacted Rep. Part Ryan whose district includes both Monroe and South Blooming Grove. A spokesperson for his office said, “We are actively investigating through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has oversight of the FAA.”
South Blooming Grove officials have not responded to repeated requests for comment, and it remains unclear whether the village will withdraw the approval or what steps may come next.
And while the helipad may face local and federal hurdles, News 12 is just now hearing from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which says no state permits were required for the project.
Newly elected Town of Monroe Supervisor Maureen Richardson says residents living near the helipad have raised ongoing safety and quality-of-life concerns.
“We’ve had multiple residents assert that their windows are shaking and they’ve been disturbed by the repeated noise of low-flying aircraft. We have not received a response to these concerns, and we believe the helipad is facilitating unapproved and undocumented air traffic. My priority is the health and safety of my residents, who are trying to live in peace in their homes,” says Richardson.
