Council Says Helipads Never Accessory Use

Common Council unanimously approved an ordinance that ensures any future applications to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for helipads will be heard as D use variances.

Council did so by approving an ordinance that amends the definitions section of Chapter XXV, Development Regulations, Article i, General Provisions, Section 35-1.6 to include a sentence that reads: "This paragraph should not be deemed to include helipads or heliports as accessory uses."

Councilman Michael Vernotico, who pushed for this ordinance after the Planning Board decided not to draft an ordinance of its own laying out guidelines for where, if at all, helipads could be placed within city limits.

"We're really codifying something that had not been addressed previously," Vernotico said. "It affirms the decision and opinion by zoning board."

One of the main determining factors on the Zoning Board's decision regarding Overlook Hospital's application for variances to build a helipad was whether or not the board deemed a helipad an accessory use of the hospital, which it did not.

"If it were a permitted accessory use it would be held to a different standard," Vernotico said.

Andy Gottesman, one of the residents who was most vocal in his opposition of Overlook's proposed helipad, thanked council for its persistence on this issue.

"You're taking an opportunity to improve something for the future," he said. "If a helipad ever comes up again, one more thing will be clear rather than unclear. You're acknowledging that a helipad is a big deal."

In the case of Overlook's helipad application, the Zoning Board must vote on the resolution memorializing their denial of the application before the hospital administration can decide whether to appeal the decision to the County Superior Court.