Coto de Caza Helipad Fight Fizzles Out

A controversy that has divided this scenic rural community over the use of its skies has now sputtered to a halt.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote this morning on whether to allow a local financier to put a helicopter pad on his 8-acre property. But officials disclosed Monday that the home is now being sold, making moot what has been a contentious and often bitter debate.

As a result, Supervisor Thomas F. Riley--whose district includes Coto de Caza--said he will pull the item from today’s agenda at the request of financier Jerry Dunton, who sought to build the helipad for business trips.

“Please be advised that Mr. Dunton is selling (the) property,” Patrick A. McCall, a lawyer for Dunton, told Riley’s office in a letter dated Jan. 30. “As such, he is withdrawing his application for a use permit.”

Dunton could not be reached for comment, but his wife, Joy, said, “I don’t want to say anything. But I think it’s kind of obvious.”

Supervisor Riley speculated that the Duntons’ move might be tied to the recent controversy. “I understand he was pretty upset with his neighbors,” he said.

While the Dunton proposal is no longer an issue, Riley said he plans to ask his staff to look into whether the county should adopt broader guidelines for helipads to prevent similar disputes in the future.

Last year, Dunton, who is president of the Irvine-based Mariners Financial, won approval from the Orange County Planning Commission to fly newer, quieter helicopters in and out his home pad and limit flights to 10 per week.

Approval of Dunton’s permit planners set off months of rancorous debate among both residents and lawyers.

“Our community as a whole is very excited about putting this issue behind us,” said Hal Causey, the president of Los Ranchos Community Assn., which opposed Dunton’s plan. “It’s been very detrimental to the relationships in our neighborhood because people have a tendency to choose sides.”