§ 13-1-181. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CATEGORY II.

(A)

This section does not apply to an application for category I or category III.

(B)

An application for a category II shall include:

(1)

proof of insurance required under Section 13-1-185 ( Insurance Required; Termination );

(2)

a description of the location (latitude and longitude), type, and intended specific use of the proposed helistop;

(3)

a description of the size, layout, and topographical features of the location of the proposed helistop;

(4)

a description of each obstruction penetrating the helistop's imaginary surfaces as identified in 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 77 (Safe, Efficient Use, and Preservation of Navigable Airspace);

(5)

the specific dates during the requested heli-facility permit period for which authorization for operations is sought and, for each such date, the maximum hours of operation, and the maximum number of operations on an hourly and daily basis;

(6)

for each helicopter expected to use the proposed helistop, the helicopter's tail number, manufacturer, model number, and maximum gross weight;

(7)

an aerial image or current map of the proposed helistop and its environs, scaled at least one inch to every 400 feet, marked to indicate:

(a)

the helistop boundaries;

(b)

takeoff and landing pads;

(c)

one or two approach and departure paths selected in compliance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5392-2 (Heliport Design Guide) out to at least 4,000 feet horizontally from the landing area, which insofar as safely practicable should avoid noise sensitive areas and environmentally sensitive areas, and one of which (if there are two) shall be identified as the principal approach and departure path based on the prevailing wind direction for the dates of anticipated operations;

(8)

the location of all noise sensitive areas and environmentally sensitive areas within a radius of at least 4,000 feet horizontally from the proposed helistop landing area; and

(9)

documentation of crowd control measures adequate for the circumstances of the helistop's intended use;

(10)

for a proposed elevated or rooftop helistop, certification by a registered professional engineer that the supporting structure for the touchdown and liftoff area satisfies the minimum design load recommended by FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-2; and

(11)

application fee; and

(12)

any additional information required by the director.

(C)

The director shall notify the following city departments and non-city agencies:

(1)

Department;

(2)

Police;

(3)

Fire;

(4)

Transportation;

(5)

Parks and Recreation;

(6)

Planning and Development Review Department;

(7)

Code and Compliance;

(8)

Star Flight; and

(9)

Austin-Travis County EMS.

(D)

Notice and public comment period shall be provided as follows:

(1)

The department shall:

(a)

within three business days of the receipt of an administratively complete application post a copy of the application online for public inspection;

(b)

within three business days of any change in an administratively complete application (e.g. supplementation or amendment by the applicant, or city's "check-off" on a requirement or condition), update the copy of the application posted online; and

(c)

coordinate with the Planning and Development Review Department to provide public notice of the application, instructions for viewing the application online, comment period, and timetable for each stage of the application process to all persons who have standing to appeal the director's decision, in the following manner:

(i)

within three business days of the receipt of an administratively complete application, post such notice online and request all neighborhood associations within 500 feet of the proposed helistop to communicate such notice to their members and residents;

(ii)

within 10 days of the receipt of an administratively complete application, individual notice shall be delivered by mail to property owners and utility customers within 500 feet of the proposed helistop and to property owners and utility customers within the proposed helistop's 65 Leq dB noise contour as modeled by the FAA noise model.

(2)

The public comment period shall commence on the date the required notice has been provided and end 30 days after a filed application is administratively complete in all respects.

(3)

The department shall compile and submit for the director's review all comments received during the public comment period.

(E)

Within 30 days from the date the public comment period ends, the director shall issue, deliver to the applicant, and post online the decision on the application in the form of a written opinion explaining the basis of the director's decision (including findings of fact and applicable provisions of law and of this article).

(F)

Operations may be conducted only on the specific dates, and subject to the maximum number of operations and number of approved helicopters, for which a heli-facility permit is issued.

(G)

The director, on a day-by-day basis, after taking into consideration the time of day, operational hours, proximity to noise sensitive areas, and/or environmentally sensitive areas, noise sensitivity, complaints, compatibility with surrounding land use, and risks to life, health or property, shall have discretion to authorize increased or decreased frequency of operations and/or number of approved helicopters during portions of the approved operational hours for a category II, provided however, that the director:

(1)

shall not have discretion to increase the number of daily or total operations and/or number of approved helicopters beyond the maximum number allowed under a category II permit; and

(2)

shall cause the department to promptly give notice to neighborhood associations in the vicinity of the heli-facility of any such exercise of the director's discretion.

Source: Ord. 040729-16; Ord. 20121108-051; Ord. 20130620-089.