FAA says helipad tied to South Blooming Grove mayor was built in violation of federal law
The helipad sits at 58 Fort Worth Place in the Village of South Blooming Grove, directly behind homes along Seven Springs Mountain Road in Monroe.
A newly built helipad behind homes in Monroe is facing new scrutiny after the Federal Aviation Administration told News 12 it was never notified about the project — something the agency says is required under federal law.
The helipad sits at 58 Fort Worth Place in the Village of South Blooming Grove, directly behind homes along Seven Springs Mountain Road in Monroe. Homeowner Javier Dam says a helicopter landed there last month, shaking his house and startling his family.
“This was all forest,” Dam said. “Now it’s a huge road. Everything has been removed.”
Dam says he first noticed the clearing in 2023, as about 20 acres of wooded land were cut down and replaced with a road, a hangar and a circular landing pad. He says no one ever notified residents living along the border.
County tax records show the property was owned by South Blooming Grove Mayor George Kalaj until it was sold in 2022 for $4.6 million around the time he was elected into office. Despite selling the land, Kalaj continued to list 58 Fort Worth Place as his residence on his village nominating petition in 2025 — a document News 12 recently obtained as part of an ongoing investigation into village officials.
A large building built on the site since it's sale is used as a private school, and aerial images show the distinct white landing pad.
The FAA confirmed to News 12 that it was not notified of the project and said failing to notify the agency is a violation of federal law. Developers are required to alert the FAA, so it can evaluate whether a new landing site poses hazards to aircraft or interferes with air navigation. The agency has not said what, if any, action may be taken.
Town of Monroe Supervisor Tony Cardone said his town, which borders the site, also received no notification, even though state law requires it when construction takes place within 500 feet of another municipality. Cardone said Monroe is now reviewing its legal options.
Cardone previously confirmed that contractors working for South Blooming Grove ran an illegal electric line from a Monroe home to support the hangar project. That home — 232 Seven Springs Mountain Road — already had violations for clear-cutting and electrical work. News 12 has learned that property is owned by 232 SS Mountain LLC, a Monroe-based rental company.
The Town of Blooming Grove says it has no jurisdiction because the helipad lies inside the Village of South Blooming Grove, which holds full land-use authority. Orange County also told News 12 the matter appears to be a local zoning issue, not something handled at the county level.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation tells News 12 it has not issued any permits for this project and is not in receipt of a permit application. DEC says it is now reviewing the construction and development activities to determine whether any state permits or authorizations are required.
Dam says he’s frustrated to learn that neither the FAA nor neighboring towns were ever informed.
“Something so grand has to have all the permits,” he said. “How did this happen without anyone knowing?”
News 12 has reached out to Fort Worth Holdings LLC’s attorney and the South Blooming Grove mayor and continues seeking responses from village and state officials. Mayor Kalaj has not responded to repeated inquiries.
