The purpose of this section is to protect and promote the general welfare, health, safety, and order within the City of Plymouth through the regulation of helistops. The provisions of this section are intended to provide alternative opportunities for effective transport of passengers and/or packages, while at the same time assuring that the public is not endangered, annoyed, or unduly distracted by such operations.

Subd. 1.

The provisions of this section do not apply to emergency landings, or to aircraft operated under the direction of public safety or medical rescue personnel, or to public agencies carrying out official duties, or to seagoing aircraft operated upon state approved public waters.

Subd. 2.

No person may land an aircraft within the City unless in compliance with federal law, state law, and this section, and unless he or she has the permission of the owner of the property where the landing takes place.

Helistops are allowable within the FRD (Future Restricted Development), B-C (Business Campus), I-1 (Light Industrial), I-2 (General Industrial), I-3 (Heavy Industrial), and P-I (Public/Institutional) zoning districts subject to the approval of a conditional use permit, pursuant to the procedures, general performance standards, and regulations established by Section 21015 of this Chapter. Helistops are also allowable within PUD (Planned Unit Development) zoning districts that are guided CO (Commercial Office) or IND (Industrial) on the City's Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan Map, pursuant to the performance standards established by this section and the procedures and regulations established by Section 21655 of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 2025-02, § 28, 3/25/2025)

Subd. 1.

Helistops shall conform with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and with all applicable state statutes and rules.

Subd. 2.

Helistops and users thereof shall establish and utilize approach and departure routes over non-residential areas to the maximum extent possible.

Subd. 3.

No more than one helicopter shall be located at a helistop at one time.

Subd. 4.

The hours of operation for a helistop shall be limited to between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Subd. 5.

Helistops and their final approach and take-off areas shall be located not less than seven hundred fifty (750) feet away from the lot line of any residential property that is not owned or leased by the person or organization providing the helistop.

Subd. 6.

Helistops shall provide a dust-free landing/takeoff area clear of structures, obstacles, and debris.

Subd. 7.

Any automobile parking needs generated by the helistop shall be accommodated on the premises where the helistop is located.

Helistops which do not comply with the provisions of this Section, but which were approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and licensed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation prior to the effective date of this Section, shall be deemed to be legal non-conforming uses, and may continue to operate pursuant to Section 21100 of this Chapter.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2003-35, 11/25/03)