Memorandum 14-155 Heliports and Helipads as Conditional Uses

Memorandum ID: 
14-155
Memorandum Status: 
Backup

Details

Memorandum 14-155
 
TO:                  MAYOR WYTHE AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL
FROM:             RICK ABBOUD, CITY PLANNER

DATE:                  October 7, 2014

 

SUBJECT:     AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, AMENDING HOMER CITY CODE 21.03.040, DEFINITIONS; HOMER CITY CODE 21.12.030, 21.14.030, 21.16.030, 21.18.030, 21.24.030, 21.26.020, 21.26.030, 21.28.030, 21.30.030, AND 21.32.030, CONDITIONAL USES AND STRUCTURES; AND HOMER CITY CODE AND PERMITTED USES AND STRUCTURES, TO DEFINE THE TERMS HELIPAD AND HOSPITAL, TO DELETE HELIPORT AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL, URBAN RESIDENTIAL, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, GENERAL COMMERCIAL 1, MARINE COMMERCIAL AND OPEN SPACE – RECREATION ZONING DISTRICTS; TO DELETE HELIPORT AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL 2 DISTRICT, TO ADD HELIPAD AS A CONDITIONAL USE ACCESSORY TO A HOSPITAL IN THE RESIDENTIAL OFFICE ZONING DISTRICT AND AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL 2 AND MARINE INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS, AND TO ADD HELIPORT AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL 2 DISTRICT.

 

 

The Planning Commission started an extensive review of the zoning code in relation to the many references for the allowance of heliports found in most zoning districts after taking public testimony in relation to a proposed heliport on a deck directly adjacent to the spit road. Operation of helicopter facilities in the city was a subject of 6 Planning Commission meetings that included a public hearing. Several people provided material at meetings and the public hearing. Most wished to limit operations to the airport and other places where service is most necessary.

 

As the length of the title suggests, the Planning Commission wishes to narrow down the current extensive zones of operation.  In a nutshell, it is proposed that operation be limited to the GC2, Marine Industrial and RO districts. Heliports and helipads would be conditional uses in the GC2 and Marine Industrial Districts while helipads would be a conditional use associated with a hospital in the RO district. Airport operations would not be subject to gaining a conditional use.

 

The term “helipad” was added to code to differentiate from “heliport”. A heliport is a more extensive operation that could include service, fueling and storage, while a helipad would just support loading and unloading, such as found at the hospital. The Planning Commission believes that this amendment allows for reasonable use of helicopter facilities while protecting the integrity of residential and other uses not compatible with the frequent use of helicopters.

 

Recommendation:

The Homer Advisory Planning Commission recommends the City Council adopt the amendments.

 

Attachments:

Staff Reports 14-20, 14-23, 14-26, 14-42, 14-46, 14-58, and 14-85

Excerpts from Planning Commission meeting minutes 2.19.14, 3.5.14, 5.7.14, 5.21.14, 6.18.14, and 9.17.14

Written public comments

Ordinance 14-