[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Vernon 9-7-1971 (Ch. 60 of the 1974 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land development — See Ch. 330.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Heliport Ordinance of the Township of Vernon."
The purpose of this chapter shall be to provide rules, regulations and standards to guide the operation and location of heliports, helistops and helispots within the Township of Vernon in order to promote public health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the municipality. It shall be administered to ensure the orderly growth and development, the conservation, protection and proper use of land and adequate provision for circulation of traffic, utilities and services.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Construction Code Official, Zoning Officer and any other official of the Township of Vernon charged with the enforcement of Vernon Township ordinances.
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms used herein are defined as follows:
HELIPORT
An area of defined dimensions designated for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and used solely for that purpose. Such area may include passenger and cargo facilities, fueling service, storage space, tie-down spaces, hangars and other accessory buildings.
HELISPOT
An area of defined dimensions designated for the occasional landing and takeoff of helicopters but not used solely for that purpose. Examples: parking lots, golf courses, parks, recreational athletic fields, etc.
HELISTOP, PRIVATE
An area of defined dimensions designated for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and used solely for that purpose. Such area shall be limited to the operation of helicopters which are owned or controlled by the owner or the occupant of the premises or by guests or patrons of such owner-occupant. Such area may include refueling but no maintenance, repair or hangar facilities, except that a tie-down area may be provided for and limited to the accommodation of a single aircraft.
HELISTOP, PUBLIC
An area of defined dimensions designated for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and used solely for that purpose. Such area shall be open to use by any helicopter regardless of ownership and control. Such area may not include any refueling, maintenance, repair or hangar facilities, except that a tie-down may be provided for and limited to a single aircraft.
An operating authorization must be obtained from the Construction Code Official before any of the facilities governed by this chapter may be occupied or operated. Such authorization may only be issued after all of the requirements of all applicable ordinances, statutes or regulations and conditions imposed by the municipal approving agency have been complied with. In cases where the Zoning Ordinance of Vernon Township[1] specifies that the facility applied for falls in the category of a special exception use, the resulting special use permit shall take the place of the required operating authorization.
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Ch. 330, Land Development.
A. 
In cases where the Zoning Ordinance of Vernon Township specifies that the facility applied for falls in the category of a special exception use, the procedures as set forth in Article XVI of Ch. 104, Zoning, shall be applicable.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Ch. 330, Land Development.
B. 
In all other cases, the application shall be made to the Mayor and Township Council of Vernon. Said application shall be accompanied by a site plan in accordance with the requirements set forth in this chapter.
C. 
A site plan shall be submitted to the Planning Board prior to the hearing by the Mayor and Township Council for review by the Planning Board, and the Planning Board shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Mayor and Township Council. In case such Planning Board report has not been received by the Mayor and Township Council within 20 days after submittal to the Planning Board, the Mayor and Township Council may proceed with its hearing, and render a decision subject to Planning Board site plan review.
A. 
The Mayor and Township Council shall set a public hearing, which hearing may be conducted as part of a regular Mayor and Township Council meeting.
B. 
The Mayor and Township Council may impose such reasonable conditions upon the issuance of an operating authorization as it may deem necessary to protect the public health, safety, welfare and general interest. Specifically, but not by way of limitation, the Mayor and Township Council may impose conditions calculated to provide:
(1) 
Adequate off-street parking facilities.
(2) 
Adequate open areas and yard on the site.
(3) 
Adequate and attractive fences and other safety devices where required and sufficient landscaping, including shrubs, trees, and lawn which will be periodically maintained.
(4) 
The posting of suitable maintenance bonds with the municipality to assure the proper and continued maintenance.
(5) 
Approval of proposed flight pattern by the Federal Aviation Administration and Mayor and Township Council.
C. 
The Mayor and Township Council may require the submission of building plans and specifications and such other information as it may deem necessary for a full consideration of the application. In approving a site plan, the Mayor and Township Council may act on site plans submitted by the applicant, as reviewed by the Planning Board, or may require modifications and changes.
The applicant shall be required to publish, at least 10 days but not more than 28 days prior to the hearing date in the official newspaper of Vernon Township, a notice of the hearing, setting forth in a clear and sufficient manner the subject matter of the application, the hearing date, hearing place, the location of the proposed facility by tax lot and block number together with sufficient description to locate the area with respect to roads, intersections or other landmarks.
No application for a heliport, helistop or helispot shall be considered by the municipal approving agencies until such time as approval has first been granted by the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics, or such other agency which may have jurisdiction over the licensing of such facilities.
The following are general requirements for helispots in the Township of Vernon:
A. 
The site plan to be submitted must be drawn to the scale of not more than one inch equals 200 feet, and must show the terrain elevation for at least 800 feet in all directions from the center limits of the landing area of the proposed helispot. The site plan must locate within such 800 feet all obstructions, indicate their height and locate the approach-departure path corridors.
B. 
The application must describe the type and characteristics of the helicopters to be used and the proposed frequency of operations.
C. 
The helispot area shall be covered with a dustproof surface as approved by the Mayor and Township Council.
D. 
All such helispots shall be marked in accordance with the Federal Aviation Agency criteria and shall provide those navigation aids as shall be required by the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics, or other agency which may have jurisdiction over such facilities. All such helispots shall be protected in a manner prescribed by the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics.
E. 
The particular helispot shall be reasonably necessary and convenient in the area in which it is to be located, and that its operation shall not adversely affect the character of the neighborhood.
F. 
The helispot area shall provide adequate parking facilities as approved by the Planning Board.
G. 
Helicopter landings or takeoffs shall not exceed the maximum number as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance of Vernon Township[1] for the particular zone in which the helispot is located. Except that the Mayor and Township Council may permit more landings and takeoffs as they determine are required by the individual nature of the helispot, including occasions of civic interest, provided such additional takeoffs and landings are not a detriment to the public health, safety and general welfare of the Township. This provision shall not be interpreted, however, as permitting the establishment of a regular operating helistop or heliport as herein defined.
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Ch. 330, Land Development.
H. 
No such helispot shall be permitted unless the minimum distances to residential structures, public rights-of-way, property lines or zone lines as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance for the zone in which the helispot is located are met.
The following are general requirements for heliports in the Township of Vernon:
A. 
The application must describe the type and characteristics of helicopters to be used and the proposed frequency of operation.
B. 
Operation is limited to helicopters of a gross weight as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance of Vernon Township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Ch. 330, Land Development.
C. 
The site plan must be drawn to a scale of no more than one inch equals 200 feet and must show the terrain elevation for at least 800 feet in all directions from the center limits of the landing area of the proposed heliport. It must also locate within such 800 feet all obstructions, giving their height and locate the approach-departure path corridors.
D. 
The site plan shall also show the relationship of the heliport to the lot lines, streets and zoning lines; the location of all buildings or areas to be used for passenger or cargo operations, maintenance and overhaul facilities, fueling, storage and hangar or tie-down facilities. All off-street parking areas, access drives, landscaped areas and traffic patterns shall also be shown.
E. 
Off-street parking shall be required in an amount to be determined by the Planning Board based on the operations contemplated, which shall include at least one parking space for each two employees serving the heliport.
F. 
Any ground level heliport shall be so located as to provide direct access thereto from a public street.
G. 
Every takeoff and landing area, taxiway, terminal and/or service area and parking areas shall be paved with a bituminous or concrete surface as may be determined by the Vernon Township Planning Board.
H. 
The heliport shall have an inside area of at least 125 feet by 125 feet.
I. 
Every ground level heliport shall be fenced with a permanent-type fence as may be determined by the Planning Board and protected to prevent entrance of unauthorized personnel with a minimum fence height of four feet. For each additional foot of fence height, 25 feet must be added to the minimum inside area dimensions, provided in Subsection H above.
J. 
All heliports shall be marked in accordance with the Federal Aviation Agency criteria and shall provide those navigation aids as shall be required by the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics or other agency which may have jurisdiction over such facilities.
K. 
Rooftop heliports may be permitted, provided the minimum area shall be not less than 40 feet with a three-foot fence inclined 70º upwards from the horizontal, unless the roof has a parapet wall already built.
L. 
Such rooftop heliports must comply with all applicable provisions of the Township Building and Fire Codes.
M. 
No portion of any such use shall project into any yards or buffer areas required in the district in which the heliport is located.
N. 
Suitable landscaping for the heliport may be required by the Planning Board based on its relation to surrounding buildings or uses.
O. 
Any heliport shall be lighted during the hours of darkness in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency requirements.
P. 
No such heliport shall be permitted unless the minimum distances to residential structures, public rights-of-way, property lines or as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance[2] for the zone in which the heliport is located are met.
[2]
Editor's Note: See now Ch. 330, Land Development.
The following are general requirements for helistops in the Township of Vernon:
A. 
The application must describe the type and characteristics of helicopters to be used and the proposed frequency of operation.
B. 
Operation is limited to helicopters of a gross weight as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance of Vernon Township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Ch. 330, Land Development.
C. 
The hours of helicopter operations shall be limited as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance of Vernon Township.
D. 
No such helistop shall be permitted unless the minimum distances to residential structures, public rights-of-way, property lines or zone lines as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance for the zone in which the helispot is located are met.
E. 
The site plan shall be drawn to a scale of not more than one inch equals 200 feet and must show the terrain elevation for at least 800 feet in all directions from the center limits of the landing area of the proposed helistop. It must also locate all obstructions within such 800 feet, their height, and the approach-departure path corridors.
F. 
The site plan shall also show the relationship of the helistop to lot lines, streets and zoning boundary lines. Any access drives, off-street parking or landscape areas shall also be shown.
G. 
The helistop landing/takeoff area shall have an inside area of at least 110 feet by 110 feet, which area shall be paved with a bituminous or concrete surface as approved by the Planning Board.
H. 
Every ground level helistop shall be fenced with a permanent-type fencing as may be determined by the Planning Board and protected to prevent entrance of unauthorized personnel with a minimum fence height of four feet. For each additional foot of fence height, 25 feet must be added to the minimum inside area dimensions, provided in Subsection G above.
I. 
Every helistop shall be marked in accordance with the Federal Aviation Agency criteria and shall provide those navigation aids as shall be required by the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics, or other agency which may have jurisdiction over such facilities.
J. 
Rooftop helistops may be permitted, provided the minimum area shall be not less than 40 feet by 40 feet with a three-foot fence inclined 70º upward from the horizontal, unless the roof has a parapet wall already built.
K. 
Such rooftop helistops must comply with all applicable provisions of the Township Building and Fire Codes.
L. 
No portion of any such use shall project into any yards or buffer areas required in the district in which the helistop is located.
M. 
Suitable landscaping for the helistop, based on its relation to street frontages, residence districts and surrounding buildings or uses, may be required by the Planning Board.
N. 
In the case of a public helistop, off-street parking shall be required. The amount of parking to be provided shall be determined by the Planning Board based on the operation contemplated.
[Added 5-20-1974]
Any person violating, or failing to comply with, any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Judge. The continuation of such violation for each successive day shall constitute a separate offense, and the person or persons allowing or permitting the continuation of the violation may be punished as provided above for each separate offense.