The following regulations shall apply to governing the uses of helicopters within the City:
(a) The landing of helicopters shall be permitted in any area designated for special events such as athletic contests, holiday celebrations, parades, political campaigning, advertising promotions, fairs or carnivals or similar activities if the person or organization intending to use the helicopter(s) or any of the described (or similar) activities have received prior approval from the Director of Public Safety and from the Federal Aviation Agency for the time and place of such use. Any person or organization receiving such approval shall be bound to follow any recommendations or conditions of approval for landing area, crowd control, safety or other factors as the approving authorities impose. Nothing herein shall prevent the landing and use of helicopters in any district in or for emergencies.
(b) Except when an elevated structure is used, the landing and takeoff areas for temporary helistops shall be no less than 10,000 square feet in size and shall be so shaped as to allow a clear area at least one and one-half times the overall length of the helicopter in all directions from the point of touchdown. In no circumstances shall a student pilot use any temporary helistop unless he is accompanied by a licensed instructor pilot in a helicopter equipped with dual controls.
(c) Temporary helistops shall be permitted only in undeveloped areas or areas under development or under construction; after completion of the development or construction, such use shall not be permitted.
(d) A heliport may be located in any district except a residential district, based upon approval by the Site Plan Review Committee and the subsequent issuance of a zoning permit by the Zoning Inspector. The Committee is authorized to impose such reasonable conditions as to landing surface, landing area, fencing or windbreaks, fire protection, lighting, location of structures and other relevant matters as the evidence of record and the public interest require. Before approval of any heliport or helistop, the site shall first be inspected and reviewed for operational suitability by the Federal Aviation Agency, and any recommendations made by the Agency to provide operational suitability shall be imposed on any heliport or helistop granted by the Committee.
(e) Helistops shall be permitted under the same provisions that apply to heliports under subsection (d) hereof.
(Ord. 147-2018. Passed 7-2-18.)