Newtown Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXVIII
Helicopters
§ 172-144 Restrictions on landing and takeoff.
No person shall land, discharge, load or take off in a helicopter in any place within the Township, other than at a heliport, except for which a permit, issued by the Township as hereinafter provided, is in force, unless such landing or takeoff is done:
A.
In conjunction with a special event, such as an athletic contest, a holiday celebration, parade or similar activity, after at least two working days' advance notice has been given to the Zoning Officer of the Township and permission has been obtained to make such landings or takeoffs.
B.
When necessary for law enforcement purposes and for emergencies.
C.
In connection with a construction project where a helicopter is to be used to lift equipment or materials in connection with such project.
§ 172-145 Use restrictions; permit requirements; heliport standards.
Heliports are prohibited in A-O Apartment Office, A Apartment and C-1 Commercial Districts. In all other districts, personal use heliports may be permitted as a conditional use. Public use heliports are prohibited in the Township. All heliports shall be subject to the following provisions:
A.
A use permit be obtained from the Township authorizing the same.
B.
The size of the property upon which the heliport is to be constructed is adequate to provide for safe operation of the helicopter and shall not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the Township residents and their property.
C.
There shall be a three-foot fence around the heliport, except for those heliports on a rooftop. The fence shall be located so as to not be hazardous to helicopter operations.
D.
The edge of the takeoff and landing area may not be closer than 200 feet to any property line.
E.
Heliports in residence districts shall be used only by executive-type helicopters under 5,000 pounds maximum gross weight.
F.
Permits for heliports shall be issued for a period of one year and may be renewed annually. Permits shall be deemed automatically revoked if:
(1)
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation revokes or refuses to relicense the heliport after one of its periodic inspections;
(2)
The Federal Aviation Administration withdraws or revokes its approval or clearance; or
(3)
The heliport is not in compliance 30 days after the Zoning Officer has notified the permit holder at its last known address, in writing, that the heliport is no longer in compliance with the requirements of the Township.
G.
Heliport standards. No land, water or building in the Township shall be used as a location for landing, takeoffs, storage, servicing or fueling of any helicopter until the following standards have been adhered to:
(1)
The proposed heliport shall be constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with the published rules and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation and the National Fire Protection Association governing the use of heliports.
(2)
Each application for a heliport shall include:
(a)
A copy of the Federal Aviation Administration Form 7480-1, Notice of Landing Area Proposal.
(b)
A copy of a letter of no objections from the FAA.
(c)
A copy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania application for approval of landing area site and the letter of site approval from the Bureau of Aviation.
(d)
An aerial photograph or drawing of a scale no less than one inch equals 200 feet indicating the approach and departure routes and the location of all residences, schools, churches, hospitals and areas used for the outdoor assembly of people, as well as other noise-sensitive areas within a radius of 1/2 mile of the proposed heliport site.
(e)
A statement of property ownership for authorization of the owner for the property proposed to be used as a heliport.
(g)
A site plan, which shall contain the following information:
[1]
The location, nature and height of proposed security fences, berms, landscaping and other security and noise attenuation structures.
[2]
The location and type of fire-fighting equipment and materials.
[3]
The location and type of fuel-storage facilities, if applicable.
[4]
The location of all existing and proposed buildings.
[5]
The location of the helicopter takeoff and landing areas, parking areas and the method of surface preparation or stabilization.
§ 172-146 Rooftop heliports.
Where heliports are located on rooftops or other elevated structures, the following conditions shall apply in addition to provisions in § 172-145:
A.
Fuel basins and fuel spillage drainage lines shall be provided.
B.
Two fire escapes shall be provided.
C.
Standard heliport markings shall be provided.
D.
There shall be a fence or restraining wall at least four feet in height around that portion of the roof structure, exclusive of the landing pad, designed for human occupancy. No other obstruction above the landing level shall be permitted in the flight path.
F.
A certification of structural compliance attested to by a registered professional engineer or architect shall be furnished with each application for a rooftop or other elevated heliport.
§ 172-147 Fire extinguishers; fueling.
§ 172-148 Prohibited landing hours.
No landings shall be made between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., unless permitted by conditional use.
§ 172-149 Exemptions.
Any heliport licensed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation of the Department of Transportation before February 13, 1978, is hereby exempt from the provisions herein relating to heliports.