Chapter 18.58
HELIPORTS AND HELISTOPS
Sections:
18.58.010 Purpose and applicability.
18.58.030 Permitted zones and locations.
18.58.040 Siting and operations standards.
18.58.010 Purpose and applicability.
A. Purpose. This chapter provides standards and requirements for the establishment and operation of heliports and helistops for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public by:
1. Providing criteria for the location of heliports and helistops;
2. Ensuring heliport and helistop compatibility with noise-sensitive land uses;
3. Protecting noise-sensitive land uses from distributing levels of helicopter noise;
4. Ensuring safety in the use of heliports and helistops; and
5. Protecting property values.
B. Applicability. This chapter regulates private heliports and helistops established after April 7, 1987. [Ord. 2011-048 § 1; Ord. 1995-06 § 2.]
18.58.020 Definitions.
A. Certain terms used in this chapter shall be defined, for purposes of this chapter, as follows:
“Ambient noise level (ANL)” means the existing background noise level exclusive of noise emitted by a helicopter, as measured by a class 1 or 2 sound level meter meeting the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI-SI.4-1983) and measured in dBA.
“Approach-departure path” means the flight path of a helicopter as it approaches or departs from a designated takeoff and landing area.
“Decibel A (dBA)” means the A-weighted sound pressure level.
“FAA” means the Federal Aviation Administration.
“FAR” means the Federal Aviation Regulation.
“Helicopter” means a rotary-wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
“Helicopter noise level (HNL)” means the maximum noise level generated by a helicopter, as measured by a class 1 or 2 sound level meter meeting the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI-SI.4-1983) and measured in dBA.
“Helicopter operation” or “operation” means the combined takeoff and landing of a helicopter.
“Heliport” means a designated land area used for helicopter operations and any appurtenant areas, including fueling facilities, terminal buildings and maintenance and repair facilities.
“Helistop” means a designated land area or roof structure used for the pickup or discharge of passengers and cargo, which does not provide helicopter maintenance and repair facilities or fueling services.
“Noise-sensitive land use” means:
1. A land use subject to interference or annoyance by the intrusion of helicopter noise. Examples include, but are not limited to: residential uses; educational, cultural and religious facilities; health services; tourist lodging services; outdoor recreational or entertainment facilities; offices; research laboratories; and government designated wilderness areas or monuments; or
2. Such unconstructed uses as listed above, having an approved subdivision plat, development plan or building permit.
“Slant range measurement” means the measurement taken from the closest point of the perimeter of the landing pad in a straight line to the closest point of a property line. [Ord. 2011-048 § 1; Ord. 1995-06 § 2.]
18.58.030 Permitted zones and locations.
A. Heliports: I-2, and private airports (as defined in STC 18.57.020).
B. Helistops: I-1, I-2, private airports and hospitals. [Ord. 2011-048 § 1; Ord. 1995-06 § 2.]
18.58.040 Siting and operations standards.
A. Setbacks.
1. Heliports. The landing pad perimeter shall be a minimum of:
a. Fifty feet from a property line of the parcel;
b. One thousand two hundred feet from a property line of a noise-sensitive land use;
c. Two thousand four hundred feet from the perimeter of the landing pad of another heliport or helistop; and
d. Three hundred feet from a public right-of-way.
2. Heliport Accessory Structures. Maintenance and fueling facilities shall be a minimum of 50 feet from a property line of the parcel.
3. Helistops. The landing pad perimeter shall be a minimum of:
a. Fifty feet from a property line of the parcel;
b. One thousand two hundred feet from a property line of a noise-sensitive land use;
c. Two hundred feet from a property line of a noise-sensitive land use for hospital helistops;
d. Three hundred feet from a public right-of-way;
e. A slant range shall be used to measure the above setbacks for rooftop helistops.
B. Permitted hours of operation are between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
C. Noise Testing.
1. If the perimeter of the landing pad is within one mile of a noise-sensitive land use, the applicant shall perform a noise test before submitting the permit application. The test shall be taken:
a. By a member of the Acoustical Society of America, Audio Engineering Society or Institute of Noise Control Engineering;
b. At the property line of the nearest noise-sensitive land use; and
c. Within the hours of operation 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
2. Testing shall be performed in accordance with the helicopter noise testing manual which has been approved by resolution of the town council.
3. The applicant shall provide written notification to the town zoning administrator two weeks prior to the testing date.
4. The following shall help determine the potential number of operations:
a. Legend.
ANL = Ambient noise level (measured in dBA and averaged over 12 hours);
HNL = Helicopter noise level (measured in dBA as the maximum reading taken during an operation);
dBA = the A-weighted sound pressure level.
b. If the ANL at the property line of the nearest noise-sensitive land use is less than or equal to 55 dBA, the following applies:
|
HNL Decibel Range Less Than or Equal to |
Maximum Number of Operations per Day Limitations Set Out in |
|
Above 55 dBA to 60 dBA |
8 |
|
Above 60 dBA to 65 dBA |
4 |
|
Above 65 dBA to 70 dBA |
2 |
|
Above 70 dBA to 75 dBA |
1 |
|
Above 75 dBA |
0 |
c. If the ANL exceeds 55 dBA, the following applies:
(1) If the HNL does not exceed the ANL, then the operation limits in subsection D of this section apply;
(2) If the HNL exceeds the ANL, then operations shall be limited by the applicable decibel ranges listed above.
D. Number of Operations.
1. Heliports may be subject to limitations on the number of operations as a condition of the use permit. After one year an applicant may request an increase in the number of operations by means of the Type 3 conditional use permit procedure.
2. Helistops shall not exceed 10 operations per day.
3. The town council or the party responsible for approving the permit may establish a lower number of permitted operations due to the proximity and number of noise-sensitive land uses.
E. Approach-departure path shall avoid noise-sensitive land uses and follow major streets when possible.
F. Operations Log. The heliport or helistop permit holder shall log the identification, operation number and arrival-departure time of helicopters using the facility. Upon request the town zoning administrator shall receive a copy of the operation log.
G. Exemptions. Helistops for hospitals are exempt from all but the setback requirements of this section. [Ord. 2011-048 § 1; Ord. 1995-06 § 2.]
18.58.050 Permits.
A. Heliport/Helistop Type 3 Conditional Use Permit.
1. Notification. The notification area shall be 1,320 feet measured from the subject property line.
2. Submittals. An applicant for a heliport or helistop permit shall file an application as required in STC 18.97.030 except in place of the preliminary development plan the application shall contain the following:
a. An FAA airspace letter-of-determination stating no objection, with or without conditions, to the proposed facility.
b. A text describing the following information:
(1) The type, weight and noise emission level (obtained from the manufacturer or FAA) of helicopters anticipated to use the site;
(2) The requested number of helicopter operations;
(3) The requested days and hours of operation of the facility; and
(4) An explanation of how the facility will be compatible with the purpose of this chapter.
c. A surroundings plan, at one inch equals 200 feet scale, of the area within a 2,640-foot radius of the center of the helipad, showing the:
(1) Parcel boundaries and dimensions;
(2) Approach-departure path(s) (refer to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-XX);
(3) Obstructions, as defined in FAR Part 77, within and adjacent to the approach-departure path(s);
(4) Location of noise-sensitive land uses within 2,640 feet of the center of the helipad and within the approach-departure path(s); and
(5) Location of public rights-of-way within 300 feet of the center of the helipad.
d. A site plan, at one inch equals 40 feet scale, showing the:
(1) Landing area, including markings and identification;
(2) Aircraft parking, maintenance and fueling areas, and peripheral areas;
(3) Location of fencing, screening and safety barriers;
(4) Points of access to the landing pad, i.e., gates, elevators and stairwells; and
(5) Location of accessory structures and equipment, including fire fighting equipment (when applicable).
e. A noise test in accordance with STC 18.58.040(C).
3. Conditional Use Permit Approval. A conditional use permit for a heliport or helistop shall comply with the purpose (STC 18.58.010), the permitted zones and locations (STC 18.58.030) and the standards (STC 18.58.040) of this chapter and be approved by the town council in accordance with STC 18.97.030(H).
4. Conditional use permit approval for a helistop shall be valid for three years.
5. Reapplication for a Helistop Permit. An application for subsequent helistop conditional use permits on the same site shall be subject to the same procedures and standards as a first-use permit. The applicant shall not offer and the town shall not consider the applicant’s reliance on or expenditures under the first-use permit.
B. Temporary Helistop Permits.
1. Fourteen-Day Permit. The zoning administrator may grant a one-time 14-day permit for a helistop in any zone if he determines that the granting of the permit will not have an adverse impact on nearby noise-sensitive land uses.
a. The application shall contain submittal information from subsections (A)(2)(b), (c) and (d) of this section, unless waived by the zoning administrator;
b. The hours of operations and number of operations shall be approved by the zoning administrator in accordance with STC 18.58.040(B) and (D)(2).
2. Nine-Month Permit. The town council may grant a one-time nine-month permit for a helistop in any zone in accordance with Type 3 conditional use permit procedures except as amended below:
a. Notification shall be in accordance with subsection (A)(1) of this section;
b. The applicant shall meet the standards of STC 18.58.040 and subsection (A)(2) of this section.
3. One-Day Permit. An annual one-day operation may occur on property that is a minimum of 20 acres and is undeveloped or in a rural zone. The applicant shall inform the town zoning administrator of the property tax code. The town zoning administrator may permit the operation upon verification of the above information.
4. Two-Day Permit. The town council may grant a two-day permit for a helistop in any zone for any parcel of a minimum of 20 acres in accordance with Type 2 conditional use permit procedures except as amended below:
a. The application shall contain submittal information from subsections (A)(2)(b), (c) and (d) of this section;
b. The total number of operations shall not exceed 10;
c. The hours of operation shall be in accordance with STC 18.58.040(B);
d. No more than two permits per year shall be granted for any parcel under this provision; and
e. The town council may waive the noise test for this permit. [Ord. 2011-048 § 1; Ord. 1995-06 § 2.]