Architect, Civil Engineer Testify on Helipad

Testimony on the application by Overlook Hospital for a height variance to build a the helipad and additions to support it continued at Monday night's zoning board meeting at city hall.

Civil Engineer Mario Iannelli presented a photo essay to evaluate the visual impact on the surrounding neighborhood, while the project's architect discussed the placement of several antennae on the roof of the building.

Iannelli, at the request of the zoning board, attached 3 to 4 foot wide red balloons on the top of the hospital to simulate the placement of the proposed additions, including the helipad and two other structures.

The proposed height for the helipad is currently at 107.95 feet, while the lobby structure will stand at 119.74 feet above the current roof and the mechanical room structure will be at 135.2 feet.

He and some of his colleagues then visited 17 sites, including several intersections on Morris Avenue, to assess the view of concerned residents. Eight of the 17 chosen sights had visualizations of the balloons.

"Based on our observations at the 17 locations … in the locations where you were able to see the top of the C – Wing, you are going to see the proposed addition," said Iannelli.

 Iannelli said that he and his colleagues composed the list of sites from public and private meetings, and the sites were chosen "based on concerns made by certain residents."

Residents still seemed concerned that not enough houses were visited, and that views from the second and third floors of the homes were not assessed. One resident suggested that the engineer recreate the test to include a half-mile radius of the hospital

"To go a quarter mile around arbitrarily is a lot," he said. "You can't study them all."

Residents were also concerned with the lighting that will be placed on the additions. According to the projects architect, Keith Kammerer, one light will be permanently on while the others will be "event actuated."

The temporary lights will be meant for navigational purposes, and are proposed to be a blue-green color, according to Kammerer.

Capt. Steven Masi, lead helicopter pilot with Atlantic Health Medical Transport, also said that the color was "goggle accepted," meaning it was a color that was conducive with night vision.

The amount of antennae on the hospitals roof also concerned the board. There are currently 136 antennae, Kammerer said. However, some of which are there without permission from the zoning board, Maclean.

Bart Sheehan, the hospital's attorney, could not speak to the validity of the claim, although he said he would investigate it.

Kammerer said that they are planning to reduce the amount of antennae by combining some and eliminating many, bringing down the number to 82. However, by combining them it would change the height of 36 antennae, causing a need for variances from the zoning board.

Many of the antennae are mobile companies such as Verizon, AT&T and Boost Mobile, according to Kammerer.

Testimony will continue on Jan. 4 and into February, according to George MacLean, the board's chair.