New Jersey approves plan for Jets' helipad

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) New Jersey's Transportation Department approved a request by the New York Jets to add a helipad to their suburban training facility, without holding any public hearings on the issue.

Residents of Florham Park opposed the decision, saying the NFL team's facility is only a few miles from the Morristown Airport. NJ.com reports (http://bit.ly/2uyIFFf ) the Jets declined to comment on the approval and wouldn't say when construction would begin.

The Transportation Department issued a letter last week approving the project, spokesman Steve Schapiro said.

The team has been seeking a landing zone at the training facility since 2013, which was put on hold after community opposition.

The team refiled its application in March, arguing it was exempt from local zoning approvals because the training facility is owned by a state agency.

The filing by Florham Park Development LLC, which is associated with the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, said in its filing that the helipad would not be open for public use.

Residents in nearby Madison previously lodged objections in a separate state filing. They declined comment on the approval.

---

Information from: NJ.com, http://www.nj.com