Trump Gets Helistop at Golf Course After Colts Neck Loses Appellate Decision

Donald Trump can now land his helicopter in Colts Neck, after a state appellate court granted the golf course owner and real estate mogul a restricted-use license to build and run a helistop at Trump National. 

The battle between Trump and Colts Neck Township has been in court since 2011, when the township denied a variance application before the Zoning Board, leading Trump to apply directly to the county and the Department of Transportation for a variance.

Calls to Colts Neck Township and to Trump National Golf Course were not returned in time for publication.

The DOT conditional use permit says the helipad can only be used by Donald Trump, his family, or a designee, with only 48 non-emergency landings per year. Colts Neck challenged the permit in April of this year.

In an opinion from the State Appellate Court, judges point to the county planning board decision to allow the helipad. 

A township zoning ordinance created after Trump's application now prohibits the construction and use of helipads, due to the "rural character of the area."

In the spring, a State Superior Court ruled that the township zoning board was within its rights to deny the application at a local level.

The township then appealed the DOT's decision to grant a license to Trump.

The appeal also alleged that the DOT failed to provide information to local residents and authorities about the helipad application and license.

But the State Appellate Court found the DOT had significant findings and evidence to back up a decision to grant a restricted use license to Trump.

It further state that residents who made written complaints about the application had no significant personal property interest in the case, and would not be directly impacted by the helipad.

"There was sufficient, credible evidence in the record to support the [DOT] decision to grant Trump's application for a Helistop-Restricted Use license," the decision stated.

The helipad will in the middle of Trump National, north of its clubhouse and according to the court decision will be designed to look like grass. The primary path of transportation will take Trump's helicopter over Route 18 and U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle.

Patch will update this story if the township or golf course comments on the matter.

Follow the story on Patch:

Trump Wants Helistop in Colts Neck Oct. 2011

Colts Neck Continues Battle Against Trump Helipad April 2012

Colts Neck Claims Victory in Court v. Trump Helipad May 2012