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ALUC Approves New Elevated Heliport for Inland Valley Medical Center; Staff Cites Noise Study and FAA No-Objection
Summary
The Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission unanimously found a proposed elevated heliport at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar consistent with county airport land-use compatibility criteria after staff cited a noise study and an FAA no-objection airspace determination.
The Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission on Oct. 9 voted unanimously to find consistent a proposal to demolish an existing at-grade helipad and build a new 4,225-square-foot elevated heliport at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar.
Paul Ruehl presented the staff report for ZAP1140FV25, saying the project would relocate the pad about 900 feet southwest on the hospital campus, sit on 5.64 acres, and be an 18-foot-elevated metal heliport with no aircraft storage, maintenance, or refueling. Ruehl said the heliport design follows the FAA advisory circular for heliport design and that the applicant would submit a Caltrans Aeronautics site-permit application following ALUC review.
Ruehl summarized a 2021 noise study by Meridian Consultants LLC that modeled a conservative worst-case day (four daytime helicopter events and two nighttime events) at seven sensitive receptor locations. He reported the study found routine EMS helicopters and Black Hawk operations would not raise ambient Community Noise Equivalent Levels at the study receptors above the ALUC—s compatibility thresholds and therefore would not be considered a significant impact under the plan.
Ruehl said the FAA issued a no-objection airspace determination on Sept. 16, 2025, concluding the private heliport would not adversely affect the safe and efficient use of airspace. During public testimony Jeff Wright, president of Helo Planners, said the western departure routing could not be moved to follow the freeway because FAA obstruction-clearance criteria restrict that flight path due to a cell tower and a large advertising sign.
A commissioner asked whether the existing heliport would be removed; Wright said it will eventually be demolished but might remain temporarily to allow flexibility for trauma events. The commission closed the hearing at 9:45 a.m., moved to find the project consistent with the Riverside County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (2004), and approved staff—s recommendation unanimously, subject to the conditions in the staff report.
