The Mathews Planning Commission met in the Mathews High School Auditorium Tuesday night to hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit to construct a proposed aviation facility (helipad) on Gwynn’s Island.

Following discussion, the commission decided to leave the public hearing open for another month before coming up with a recommendation.

The applicant, William Shewmake, on behalf of Mark T. Motley Trust, requested a CUP to build a 20’x20’ helipad with an associated 20’x65’ garage on the 3.49-acre property. The property is in the Residential-2 (R-2) zoning district and is accessed by Old Farm Road which is a 15-foot-wide private right-of-way.

Fifteen homes currently occupy Old Farm Road. To the north of the property is the densely developed area around Cherry Point and Kibble Creek and to the east is mostly wooded land.

“The applicant is seeking to construct a helipad with associated garage that will be limited to 30 non-emergency landings a month, with limited hour...