[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Chadds Ford (formerly Township of Birmingham) 11-5-1986 by Ord. No.
71. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 135.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The Board of Supervisors of the Township of Chadds Ford,
Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
An area to accommodate all phases of operation of rotor-wing
aircraft (helicopters) with suitable space to allow development of
service facilities as desired.
An area on a roof or on the ground to accommodate touchdown
and lift-off of the rotor-wing aircraft (helicopters) for the purpose
of picking up and discharging passengers or cargo with no service
facilities.
The Township of Chadds Ford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Helistops are a permitted use in any district
on a parcel of land at least 100 acres under one ownership subject
to the following provisions:
A.
The proposed helistop would not be detrimental to
the health, welfare and safety of the Township residents and their
property.
B.
The landing pad must be at least 60 feet square or
a circle with a sixty-foot diameter. This pad must be paved, level
and maintained dirt free. Rooftop pads shall be free of all loose
stone and aggregate.
C.
There must be a four-foot fence around the helistop,
except for those helistops on a rooftop. The fence shall be so located
as not to obstruct the glide angle of a helicopter using the helistop.
D.
At least two approach lanes to each landing pad shall
be provided and maintained free of obstructions and shall be located
not less than 90° apart. Each approach lane shall be located within
45° left or right of the prevailing winds and shall fan out at
an angle of 10° from the width of the landing pad to a width of
1,000 feet, and shall have a glide angle slope of eight to one measured
from the outer edge of the pad.
E.
Clear areas for emergency landings of the helicopter
in the event of mechanical failure shall be available. These emergency
landing areas shall be located within the normal glide range of the
helicopter with one engine off when operating in the approved takeoff
or landing lane from the helistop.
F.
An application for a helistop on a roof shall be accompanied
by a certification by a registered engineer that the loads imposed
by the helicopter will be supported by the structure.
G.
The helistop shall be used only for personal or executive
use by a firm or individual.
H.
No helicopter over 12,000 pounds gross weight shall
use any helistop.
I.
Upon the granting of approval by the Board, the Zoning
Officer shall issue a permit for a helistop, and this permit shall
be for a one-year period of time and must be renewed annually. If
at any time the condition of the approval or any other conditions
imposed by the Board are violated, the permit may be revoked by the
Zoning Officer.
It shall be unlawful for any person to land,
discharge, load or take off in a helicopter any place within the Township
other than at a helistop except:
A.
In conjunction with a special event such as an athletic
contest, a holiday celebration, parade or similar activity, after
seven days' advance notice has been given to the Zoning Officer and
permission obtained to make such landing and takeoff.
B.
When necessary for law enforcement purposes and for
emergencies.
C.
In connection with a construction project where a
helicopter is to be used to lift equipment in connection with such
project.
Heliports are not permitted.
Any person who violates or permits a violation
of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil
enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a Magisterial
District Judge, pay a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs,
including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in
the enforcement of this chapter. No judgment shall be imposed until
the date of the determination of the violation by the Magisterial
District Judge. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the
judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable
Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute
a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of
the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including
injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.
