Sec. 3-223. - Operational requirements.
Approach-departure path shall mean a path for flight in a plane leading outward and upward from the end of the take-off and landing area, under which adequate areas should be located to permit a safe landing in the event of a malfunction.
Essential service heliport or helistop shall mean a heliport or helistop providing helicopter services to specific elements of the community such as trauma centers, hospitals and law enforcement agencies.
Heliports shall comply with all federal, state and local rules and regulations, including the Uniform Building Code. Heliport shall mean that area used by helicopters or other steep gradient aircraft for take-offs and landings. Such area may include passenger, cargo, maintenance and overhaul facilities, plus fueling service, storage space, tie-down area, hangars and other accessory buildings and open spaces.
Heliport/helistop approach/departure surface shall mean an imaginary sloping trapezoidal plane beginning at the end of the HMA to splay outward and upward. The trapezoid's inner width is that of the HMA. Its outer width, at a horizontal distance of four thousand (4,000) feet is five hundred (500) feet. The slope of the trapezoid is 8:1 (horizontal to vertical). A heliport/helistop must have at least one, but may have several, approach/departure surfaces.
Heliport/helistop maneuver area (HMA) shall mean a cleared and graded area used for necessary in-ground-effect flight of helicopters accelerating for takeoff or decelerating for landing. A HMA is required for each intended approach or departure path.
Heliport/helistop primary surface shall mean a level plane at the elevation of the heliport/helistop which is identical in size and shape to the HMA.
Heliport/helistop transitional surface shall mean a surface sloping upward at a 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) beginning at the edge of the heliport/helistop primary surface and/or heliport/helistop approach/departure surface terminating at a fixed distance from the centerline of the heliport/helistop primary surface or heliport/helistop approach/departure surface.
Helistops shall comply with all federal, state, and local rules and regulations, including the Uniform Building Code. Helistop shall mean that area used by helicopters or other steep gradient aircraft far the purpose of takeoffs and landings, such area to be used for the pick-up or discharge of passengers and cargo, but not to include maintenance, overhaul, or fueling services and facilities.
Hover point shall mean a point within the HMA at which the helicopter hovers before accelerating into forward flight on departure and at which it comes to a hover after decelerating on arrival. An HMA may have one or more hover points depending upon its size and the direction of approach and/or departure paths thereto.
Noise sensitive uses shall mean residences, schools, hospitals, churches and other religious institutions, libraries, museums, concert halls, band shells, auditoriums, research facilities, and other land uses which require a quiet environment to function effectively.
Obstacle shall mean any fixed or mobile object which is located on an area intended for the surface movement of helicopters, or extends above a defined surface intended to protect helicopters in flight, or interferes with the sitting or operation of navigational aids, or affects the establishment of instrument procedures.
Peripheral areas shall mean an obstruction free area encompassing all sides of the actual touchdown and operation areas.
Public service heliport or helistop shall mean a heliport or helistop, that provides helicopter services to the public and is open to anyone who can operate within the constraints of the facility. Public service heliports or helistops do not require users to obtain prior approval of the heliport or helistop owner or operator for permission to land. Public ownership is not a prerequisite for the public service designation.
Restricted service heliport or helistop shall mean a heliport or helistop, not generally open to the public without prior approval of the heliport or helistop owner or operator, that provides helicopter services to a particular user or group of users including but not limited to, corporate headquarters, industrial facilities, business or commercial activities, and hotels.
Taxiways and taxi routes shall mean areas over which helicopters may ground taxi or hover taxi between hover points and parking positions on the apron or ramp. Paved taxiways, if provided, are twenty (20) feet wide centered in a taxi route. Taxi routes, including hover taxi routes, are 1.67 times the rotor diameter of the largest helicopter expected to use the heliport.
(Ord. No. 63553, 8-28-86; Ord. No. 84181, 5-30-96)
Helicopters are classified according to maximum gross weight as follows:
(1)
Class I, up to six thousand (6,000) pounds;
(2)
Class II, six thousand (6,000) to twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) pounds;
(3)
Class III, greater than twelve thousand five hundred pounds (12,500)
(Ord. No. 63553, 8-28-86; Ord. No. 84181, 5-30-96)
(a)
Application for establishing a heliport or helistop will be made to the director of building inspections.
(b)
The application shall contain:
(1)
Heliport or helistop location map depicting the physical location of the facility.
(2)
Heliport or helistop layout sketch plan, properly dimensioned, depicting the physical facilities proposed including the property boundaries of the facility (if a ground level facility), the hover point, HMA, helicopter parking area, surface access, automobile parking, safety fencing, and adjacent land uses.
(3)
Heliport or helistop approach and clear zone layout plan prepared in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 77, "Objects Affecting Navigable Airspace," depicting approach and departure paths, clear zones, and obstructions in the vicinity of the facility.
(4)
FAA Form 7480-1, "Notice of Landing Area Proposal."
(5)
A written statement describing the type of facilities proposed (public service, essential service, restricted service), the anticipated number of daily helicopter operations, hours of operation, the class of helicopters anticipated to use the facility, expected noise levels at the facility property line resulting from helicopter operations, and the types and quantities of safety and fire fighting equipment to be installed or maintained at the facility.
(6)
Other plans, data, and information as may be required to perform an adequate evaluation of the proposed facility, to include input from the San Antonio Police Department.
(c)
Upon receipt of the application, the director of building inspections shall forward copies of all materials submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration and the aviation director.
The FAA shall evaluate the impact of the proposed heliport or helistop on the safe and efficient use of the nation's navigable airspace and the safety of persons and property on the ground, and will notify the director of building inspections of its determination, i.e., no objections to the proposal, no objection provided certain conditions are met, or objectionable with reason therefore.
The aviation director shall evaluate the facility plans submitted and shall notify the director of building inspections as to whether or not the plans meet the technical specifications of the City of San Antonio.
After completion of the FAA and aviation director evaluation, a building permit must be obtained from the building inspections department for the construction of the facility. When all requirements have been met, the building inspections department will issue a certificate of occupancy that will enable flight operations to commence.
(d)
When a heliport or helistop does not meet the standards set forth by this article, upon routine inspection and with coordination of the aviation director, fire chief, and building inspections, the director of building inspections may declare the facility unsafe and revoke the certificate of occupancy.
(Ord. No. 63553, 8-28-86; Ord. No. 84181, 5-30-96)
Sec. 3-223. - Operational requirements.
(a)
The city council may, after public hearing and proper notice to all parties affected and after recommendation by the city zoning commission containing such requirements and specifications as are necessary to protect adjoining property, authorize the location, construction, maintenance, and use of heliports and helistops by approving a specific use authorization in accordance with chapter 35, article III of the City Code, but no specific use authorization shall be granted unless it specifically finds that:
(1)
The use being granted by the specific use authorization will be in harmony with the spirit and purpose of this ordinance.
(2)
The public welfare and convenience will be substantially served.
(3)
The neighboring property will not be substantially injured by such proposed use.
(4)
The use being granted by the specific use authorization will not alter the essential character of the district and location of the property for which the use is sought.
(b)
A specific use authorization for a heliport or a helistop shall only be permitted in those districts as authorized in chapter 35, table 311-2.
(c)
No heliport or helistop shall be located within five hundred (500) feet of any existing residential use or other noise sensitive uses or any property zoned residential. In granting a specific use authorization for a heliport or helistop, city council may authorize the distance requirement to be reduced when the location will serve an essential service heliport or helistop, but in no circumstance shall the distance be within two hundred fifty (250) feet of any existing residential use or other noise sensitive uses or any property zoned residential.
(d)
In approving a specific use authorization for a heliport or helistop, the city council may impose such requirements and safeguards as it may deem necessary to protect the public interest and welfare.
(e)
The approval of a specific use authorization for a heliport or helistop shall not waive the requirements of chapter 3, article III.
(f)
No helicopter or steep gradient aircraft, except air ambulance helicopters and public safety helicopters, shall land any place within the city limits not designated as a heliport or helistop without first securing from the aviation director a permit for the landing and operation of a helicopter to and from a temporary landing site. The permit will approve, in the case of casual and infrequent landings or special flights, landings where the area is prepared in a manner to prevent unauthorized access to the landing area by persons unconnected with the operations. Proper dust control must be provided when the area is near a residential development. Prior written permission by the owner of the property is also a necessity before using the land for such purposes. The aviation director may issue a permit for the landing and takeoff of helicopters at temporary locations for up to ten (10) helicopter operations per day or as promulgated by Federal Aviation Regulation Part 157, provided that no permit issued by the aviation director shall exceed a period of ten (10) days. It shall be the responsibility of the pilot/operator/user to adhere to all FAA, state or city rules, regulations, codes and safety criteria while operating under this permit. The San Antonio Police Department will be notified of all infrequent landings or special flights. In the event more than ten (10) operations per day are required, all provisions pertaining to the building of a heliport or helistop as stated in this article must be followed.
Absent exigent circumstances, a written request for permission for a helicopter to land or takeoff from a temporary landing site should be submitted to the aviation director a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours prior to the time of intended operation. The request must contain the following specific information:
(1)
Exact location of the proposed landing site with map.
(2)
Date or dates and hours of operation.
(3)
Type of helicopter or helicopters to be used; aircraft registration number; company name.
(4)
Reason for request.
(5)
Affirmation that all safety precautions required by the FAA and City of San Antonio will be enforced at the landing site.
(6)
Affirmation that the land owner has given written permission to utilize the property for such activities.
(7)
Confirmation, if required by Federal Aviation Regulations, that notification to the Federal Aviation Administration (Airport Traffic Control Tower and Flight Standards District Office) was accomplished.
(8)
Name of person and job title making the request.
(g)
No unauthorized persons will be allowed within the peripheral area during time of take-off and landing.
(h)
All pilots of helicopters making use of the heliports and helistops within the city limits must comply with FAA regulations.
(Ord. No. 63553, 8-28-86; Ord. No. 84181, 5-30-96; Ord. No. 2010-10-21-0914, § 2, 10-21-10)