Petition Starter Hopes Helipad Issue Is Over

The Madison resident who started an online petition that received hundreds of signatures opposing a proposed helipad at the NY Jets practice facility in Florham  hopes the withdrawal of the application to build it means the issue is over.

"I'm thankful that the Jets have withdrawn their application and hope that this is the end of the issue," said petition starter Patrick Rowe, who also is vice president of the Madison Board of Education and a Borough Council candidate. "I'd also like to thank all the people who responded to the petition. I believe our collective voices were heard."

The petition cited concerns with noise and pointed out that Morristown Municipal Airport is about a mile away from the Florham Park practice facility.

Madison Mayor Bob Conley said residents' concerns may have been heard.

Madison and Florham Park officials also had conversations about whether the helipad application belonged in front of the Florham Park's Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, but an official ruling on the issue was not made, Conley said.

The application was pulled without prejudice, meaning it could be filed again.

A letter received by the Florham Park Planning Board on Wednesday did not give a reason for the backpedaling. The Jets and the law firm that sent the letter did not respond to messages left Thursday.

The helipad received regional media attention. The Madison neighbors' opposition to the plan was covered by CBS 2. And upon learning the application was pulled this week, the NY Daily News observed owner Woody Johnson and coach Rex Ryan "will just have to woo free agents with their sparkling personalities."

Conley said the withdrawal of the application was good news for everyone and "the first victory of the season for the Jets."

A hearing on the plan had been expected to be on the agenda for the Florham Park Planning Board meeting next week after having been postponed since May.