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West Norriton Township
City Zoning Code

PART 15

HELIPORTS; HELISTOPS; HELICOPTER USE

§ 27-1501 Findings.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
After due consideration, the Board of Commissioners of West Norriton Township have determined that the unregulated construction or use of any lot, or portion thereof, within the Township, as a heliport or helistop would adversely affect the health, safety and general welfare of the community in that:
A. 
It would create the potential for serious safety problems.
B. 
It would disturb the tranquility of a large area of the Township.
C. 
It would have clearly deleterious effects upon the general public.

§ 27-1502 Definitions.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
COMMERCIAL HELIPORT/HELISTOP
A public landing area for helicopters which includes facilities for fueling, repair and/or storage of helicopters, which are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Bureau of Aviation.
HELIPORT/HELISTOP APPROACH SURFACE
The approach surface begins at the end of the heliport/helistop primary surface, with the same width as the primary surface, and extends outward and upward for the horizontal distance of 4,000 feet, where its width is 500 feet. The slope of the approach surface is eight to one for civil heliports/helistops.
HELIPORT/HELISTOP PRIMARY SURFACE
The area of the primary surface coincides in size and shape with the designated takeoff and landing area of a heliport/helistop. The surface is a horizontal plane at the elevation of the established heliport/helistop elevation.
PERSONAL-USE HELIPORT/HELISTOP
A helicopter landing area licensed by PennDOT, Bureau of Aviation, for the purpose of picking up or discharging passengers or cargo. No fueling, helicopter repair or storage areas are permitted in conjunction with the operation of a personal use heliport.

§ 27-1503 Special Exception for Construction.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
No heliport or helistop shall be constructed or used unless and until a special exception is granted by the Township Zoning Hearing Board, which shall grant such special exception only under the following terms and conditions:
A. 
The construction or use of a heliport or helistop shall be prohibited within the Township, except in those zoning districts, on lots in excess of 25 acres, which are classified Industrial or Limited Commercial Industrial. However, in no case shall a heliport or helistop be constructed in that Limited Commercial Industrial District located between Montgomery and Forrest Avenues south of Main Street, as same adjoins heavily populated residential areas in both the Township and the Borough of Norristown.
B. 
The applicant for such special exception must clearly establish that the proposed heliport or helistop will not be detrimental to the health, safety and/or welfare of persons or property within the Township.
C. 
The landing pad of the proposed heliport or helistop shall be a minimum of 60 feet in the case of a circle, and must be paved, level and maintained dirt free.
D. 
Landing pads, both ground level and rooftop, shall be free of all loose stone and/or aggregate.
E. 
All ground pads must be surrounded by a four-foot fence, which shall be located so as not to obstruct the approach slope of a helicopter using the heliport or helistop.
F. 
There shall be a minimum distance from a heliport or helistop to any residential use or residentially zoned district of at least 600 feet, or the minimum required by federal or state agencies, whichever is greater.
G. 
At least two approach lanes to each landing pad shall be provided and maintained free of obstructions and shall be located not less than 90° apart. Each approach lane shall be located within 45° left or right of the prevailing winds and shall extend outward and upward for the horizontal distance of 4,000 feet, where its width shall be 500 feet, and shall have a glide angle slope of eight to one measured from the outer edge of the pad.
H. 
Clear areas, as defined by the Bureau of Aviation of the Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for emergency landings of the helicopter in the event of mechanical failure shall be available. These emergency landing areas shall be located within the normal glide range of the helicopter with one engine off when operating in the approved takeoff or landing lane from the heliport or helistop.
I. 
The location of heliports or helistops in the vicinity of public highways shall be shielded or screened so as to minimize distractions to motorists in the area.

§ 27-1504 Application for Special Exception; Requirements.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
Any application for a special exception for a heliport or helistop shall be accompanied by plans and data demonstrating compliance with all of the provisions herein. Additionally, any application for a special exception for a heliport or helistop to be constructed or used on a roof shall be accompanied by a certification by a registered engineer that the loads imposed by a helicopter of not less than 12,000 pounds gross weight plus full crew, passengers and baggage, or a total of 150% of the gross weight of the largest helicopter permitted to use the pad, will be safely supported by the structure.

§ 27-1505 Location of Approach Lanes.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
Traffic patterns for landing and takeoff from the proposed heliport or helistop shall avoid residential areas, schools, churches, hospitals and other heavily populated areas.

§ 27-1506 Passenger Service Only.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
The heliport or helistop shall be used only for the loading or discharge of passengers.

§ 27-1507 Minimum Helicopter Gross Weight.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
No helicopter under 12,000 pounds gross weight shall be permitted to use any heliport or helistop.

§ 27-1508 Licensed Pilots.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
All helicopters landing or taking off from heliports or helistops shall be fully operated by fully licensed and qualified pilots. Operation by student pilots is strictly prohibited.

§ 27-1509 Grant of Special Exception; Requirements.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
Prior to the grant of any special exception, the applicant shall provide the Zoning Hearing Board with proof of site approval from PennDOT, Bureau of Aviation. Any grant of a special exception shall be conditioned upon compliance with all applicable regulations and licensing procedures of the Federal Aviation Administration and PennDOT, Bureau of Aviation.

§ 27-1510 Compliance of Construction and Use.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
Construction and/or use of a heliport or helistop in violation of the provisions of this Part, or of any other provisions of the Township ordinances, is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be repaired, vacated, demolished, abated or otherwise cured as provided by law or equity.

§ 27-1511 Emergency Landings.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the emergency landing of helicopters within the Township, provided, however, that, where practicable, advance notice is given to the Chief of Police and, within 24 hours of such landing, a written report is filed with the Chief of Police giving the reasons for such landing. "Emergency landings" are defined as those necessary for medical, fire and law enforcement emergencies.

§ 27-1512 Business Emergency.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
1. 
Permit Required. Unless otherwise permitted by this § 27-1613, in no circumstance shall a business helicopter with supplies, machinery, parts, etc., land or take off without first obtaining an emergency permit.
2. 
Application. In addition, in those instances where there exists a business emergency, such as where it is necessary that a business helicopter fly in needed supplies, machinery, parts, etc., application shall be made to the Chief of Police, for an emergency permit to allow such landing and takeoff. Such application shall include the following information:
A. 
The name and address of the person seeking the permit.
B. 
The date, time and place when and where the helicopter is requesting to land and take off.
C. 
The specific cargo which shall be transported by the helicopter.
D. 
The make and model of helicopter which shall be used for such purpose.
E. 
Specifically why the use of a helicopter, as opposed to other means of transportation, is required.
F. 
The specific traffic patterns for landing and takeoff.
G. 
The application shall be accompanied by proof of compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and licensing procedures.
3. 
Approval. The granting of an emergency permit shall be within the discretion of the Chief of Police.
4. 
Appeals. In those instances where the Chief of Police shall deny such permit, appeal of such denial may be made to the Board of Commissioners who, in their discretion, may sustain or overrule the decision of the Chief of Police.
5. 
Duration of Permit. Any emergency permit issued pursuant to this Subsection 5 shall be effective for one calendar day only, which day shall be specified in the permit.

§ 27-1513 Violation; Penalty.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $600 and in default of payment to undergo imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation continues beyond the date fixed for compliance shall constitute a separate and district offense.

§ 27-1514 Remedies on Violation Not Exclusive.

[Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this Part, or any remedy provided by law, shall not be deemed mutually exclusive. Rather, they may be employed simultaneously or consecutively, at the option of the Township Board of Commissioners.