A long-simmering dispute in Bermuda Dunes has escalated, with homeowners claiming they’ve been locked out of their own hangars due to a verbal easement that’s no longer recognized by the airstrip’s new owners.
For decades, the Bermuda Dunes airstrip—a small air park nestled amid residential homes—operated on an informal agreement. When the surrounding homes were built over 60 years ago, the original owner gave residents a verbal easement to use the runway for their small planes and classic car collections. This agreement, though never formalized in writing, allowed homeowners to enjoy aviation hobbies and unrestricted hangar access.
However, after the original owner passed away, his family sold the airstrip to Crown Aero Development, based in Orange County. Crown Aero has refused to honor the verbal easement, effectively trapping residents’ planes and cars inside their hangars. Homeowner and well-known actor Lorenzo Lamas explained that simply opening a hangar door could result in trespassing charges.
“I just moved there to enjoy access to the runway,” Lamas said. “Now I’m locked in my home with no way to use my hangar.” He also highlighted a growing safety concern: the new owners are allowing larger jets, some weighing over 50,000 pounds, to land on a runway originally designed for much smaller planes. Residents worry that these larger jets pose a danger to their homes and families, with some jets flying disturbingly close to houses.
Tensions flared recently when representatives of Crown Aero were reportedly seen walking on residents’ properties to scout locations for a new fence, sparking heated exchanges.
The conflict has now moved to court, with a hearing scheduled for early June. Homeowners have reportedly spent nearly $500,000 in legal fees to fight for access to their own hangars. Meanwhile, property values in the area have reportedly plummeted by up to 50 percent, with residents citing the unresolved dispute as a major factor.
A request for comment from Craig Grote of Crown Aero Development was met with a statement citing the ongoing litigation.
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By: Fred Roggin
May 26, 2025
