Sightseeing Tours Bring Complaints From NIMBYs

When a helicopter tour company began offering sightseeing rides from a beach in Galveston, TX last weekend, residents of a condominium complex near the landing pad on Stewart Beach immediately went to a local city councilman to complain. That councilman, Ralph McMorris, now says he thinks the council should have more oversight of the board that approves such businesses.

The city's Parks Board has responsibility for regulating such businesses. The Galveston County Daily News reports that members of the Board said they had considered the residents of the Emerald Condominiums, and had a letter from residents nearest the landing pad that offered no objections to approving the attraction.

The commercially-zoned land is owned by the city, and had formerly been used as a go-cart track. The Park Board is charged with managing the property. The board's trustees approved a one-year lease with the helicopter operator June 10.

The condominium complex is about 1,000 feet from the landing pad. McMorris has asked the council to pass legislation that would give the council final approval over all leases entered into by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees. The Board has had the authority to approve contracts since its inception in 1963.

FMI: www.cityofgalveston.org/151/City-Council