The purpose of this article is to create an airport district overlay that considers safety issues around the Pittsburgh International Airport, regulates and restricts the heights of constructed structures and objects of natural growth, creates appropriate zones, establishing the boundaries thereof and providing for changes in the restrictions and boundaries of such zones, creates the permitting process for use within said zones and provides for enforcement, assessment of violation penalties, an appeals process, and judicial review.
The Airport District Overlay shall not modify the boundaries of any underlying zoning district. Where identified, the Airport District Overlay shall impose certain requirements on land use and construction in addition to those contained in the underlying zoning district.
A. 
The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
AIRPORT ELEVATION
The highest point of an airport's usable landing area measured in feet above sea level. The airport elevation of the Pittsburgh International Airport is 1,203 feet above sea level.
AIRPORT HAZARD
Any structure or object, natural or man-made, or use of land which obstructs the airspace required for flight or aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous as defined in 14 CFR Part 77 and 74 Pa.C.S.A. § 5102.
AIRPORT HAZARD AREA
Any area of land or water upon which an airport hazard might be established if not prevented as provided for in this article and the Act 164 of 1984 (Pennsylvania laws relating to aviation).
APPROACH SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface longitudinally centered on the extended runway center line and extending outward and upward from each end of the primary surface. An approach surface is applied to each end of the runway based on the planned approach. The inner edge of the approach surface is the same width as the primary surface and expands uniformly depending on the planned approach. The approach surface zone, as shown on Figures 5 and 6 in the Appendices,[1] is derived from the approach surface.
CONICAL SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface extending outward and upward from the periphery of the horizontal surface at a slope of 20 feet horizontally to one foot vertically for a horizontal distance of 4,000 feet. The conical surface zone, as shown on Figures 5 and 6 in the Appendices,[2] is based on the conical surface.
DEPARTMENT
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration of the United States Department of Transportation.
HEIGHT
For the purpose of determining the height limits in all zones set forth in this chapter and shown on the Zoning Map, the datum shall be mean sea level elevation unless otherwise specified.
HORIZONTAL SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary plane 150 feet above the established airport elevation and extends 200 feet from each runway end that is constructed by swinging arcs of various radii from the center of the end of the primary surface and then connecting the adjacent arc by tangent lines. The radius of each arc is 10,000 feet. The horizontal surface zone, as shown on Figures 5 and 6 in the Appendices,[3] is derived from the horizontal surface.
LARGER THAN UTILITY RUNWAY
A runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller driven aircraft of greater than 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight and jet powered aircraft.
NON-PRECISION INSTRUMENT RUNWAY
A runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing air navigation facilities with only horizontal guidance, or area-type navigation equipment, for which a straight-in non-precision instrument approach procedure has been approved or planned.
OBSTRUCTION
Any structure, growth, or other object, including a mobile object, which exceeds a limiting height set forth by this article.
PRECISION INSTRUMENT RUNWAY
A runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing an instrument landing system (ILS) or a precisions approach radar (PAR). It also means a runway for which a precision approach system is planned and is so indicated on an approved airport layout plan or any other planning document.
PRIMARY SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface longitudinally centered on the runway, extending 200 feet beyond the end of paved runways or ending at each end of turf runways. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway center line. The primary surface zone, as shown on Figures 5 and 6 in the Appendices,[4] is derived from the primary surface.
RUNWAY
A defined area of an airport prepared for landing and takeoff of aircraft along its length.
TRANSITIONAL SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface that extends outward and upward from the edge of the primary surface to the horizontal surface at a slope of seven feet horizontally to one foot vertically (7:1). The transitional surface zone, as shown on Figures 5 and 6 in the Appendices,[5] is derived from the transitional surface.
TREE
Any object of natural growth.
UTILITY RUNWAY
A runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller driven aircraft of 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight or less.
VISUAL RUNWAY
A runway intended solely for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[2]
Editor's Note: Said Appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: Said Appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[4]
Editor's Note: Said Appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: Said Appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A. 
There are hereby created and established certain zones within the Airport District Overlay Zoning Code, defined in § 420-188 and depicted on Figures 5 and 6 in the Appendices[1] and illustrated on the Pittsburgh International Airport Hazard Area Map, hereby adopted as part of this article, which include:
(1) 
Approach Surface Zone.
(2) 
Conical Surface Zone.
(3) 
Horizontal Surface Zone.
(4) 
Primary Surface Zone.
(5) 
Transitional Surface Zone.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, no use shall be made of land or water within the Airport District Overlay that:
(1) 
Creates electrical interference with navigational signals or radio communications between the airport and aircraft.
(2) 
Makes it difficult for pilots to distinguish between airport lights and others.
(3) 
Impairs visibility in the vicinity of the airport.
(4) 
Creates bird strike hazards.
(5) 
Otherwise endangers or interferes with the landing, takeoff or maneuvering of aircraft utilizing the Pittsburgh International Airport.
A. 
Any of the following types of construction or alteration within the boundaries of this Overlay District must comply with applicable FAA and PENNDOT regulations regarding height restrictions in the designated zones:
(1) 
Any construction or alteration of more than 200 feet in height above the ground level at its site.
(2) 
Any construction or alteration of greater height than an imaginary surface extending outward and upward at one of the following slopes:
(a) 
One hundred to one for a horizontal distance of 20,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearest runway.
(b) 
Twenty-five to one for a horizontal distance of 5,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearest landing and takeoff area of each heliport.
(3) 
Any highway, railroad, or other traverseway for mobile objects, of a height which would exceed a standard of Subsection A(2)(a) or (b) in this section as adjusted in the following manner:
(a) 
Seventeen feet for an interstate highway that is part of the National System of Military and Interstate Highways where overcrossings are designed for a minimum of seventeen feet vertical distance.
(b) 
Fifteen feet for any other public roadway.
(c) 
Ten feet or the height of the highest mobile object that would normally traverse the road, whichever is greater, for a private road.
(d) 
Twenty-three feet for railroad.
(e) 
An amount equal to the height of the highest mobile object that would normally traverse a waterway, or any other traverseway not previously mentioned.
A. 
The regulations prescribed by this article shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering, or other change or alteration of any structure or tree not conforming to the regulations as of the effective date of this chapter, or otherwise interfere with the continuance of a nonconforming use.
B. 
No nonconforming use shall be structurally altered or permitted to grow higher, so as to increase the nonconformity, and a nonconforming use, once substantially abated as defined and provided for in this article may only be reestablished consistent with the provisions herein.
A. 
As regulated by Act 164 and defined by 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 77.13(a) (as amended or replaced), any person who plans to erect a new structure, to add to an existing structure, or to erect and maintain any object (natural or man-made) within the height restrictions as outlined in § 420-189, Height restrictions, in the vicinity of the Pittsburgh Hazard Area of the Pittsburgh International Airport, shall first notify the Department's Bureau of Aviation (BOA) by submitting PennDOT Form AV-57 to obtain an obstruction review of the proposal at least 30 days prior to commencement thereof.
B. 
The Department's BOA response must be included with this permit application for it to be considered complete.
C. 
If the Department's BOA returns a determination of no penetration of airspace, the permit request should be considered in compliance with the intent of this Overlay Zoning Code.
D. 
If the Department's BOA returns a determination of a penetration of airspace, the permit shall be denied, and the project sponsor may seek a variance from such regulations as outlined in § 420-192, Variances.
E. 
No permit is required to make maintenance repairs to or to replace parts of existing structures which do not enlarge or increase the height of an existing structure.
A. 
Any request for a variance shall include documentation in compliance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 77, Subpart B (FAA Form 7460-1, as amended or replaced). Determinations of whether to grant a variance will depend on the determinations made by the FAA and the Department's BOA as to the effect of the proposal on the operation of air navigation facilities and the safe, efficient use of navigable air space. In particular, the request for a variance shall consider which of the following categories the FAA has placed the proposed construction in:
(1) 
No objection. The subject construction is determined not exceed obstruction standards and marking/lighting is not required to mitigate potential hazard. Under this determination a variance shall be granted.
(2) 
Conditional determination. The proposed construction/alteration is determined to create some level of encroachment into an airport hazard area which can be effectively mitigated. Under this determination, a variance shall be granted contingent upon implementation of mitigating measures as described in § 420-193, Obstruction marking and lighting.
(3) 
Objectionable. The proposed construction/alteration is determined to be a hazard and is thus objectionable. A variance shall be denied and the reasons for this determination shall be outlined to the applicant.
B. 
Such requests for variances shall be granted where it is duly found that a literal application or enforcement of the regulations will result in unnecessary hardship and that relief granted will not be contrary to the public interest, will not create a hazard to air navigation, will do substantial justice, and will be in accordance with the intent of this chapter.
Any permit or variance granted pursuant to the provisions of this article may be conditioned according to the process described in § 420-192, Variances, to require the owner of the structure or object of natural growth in question to permit the municipality, at its own expense, or require the person requesting the permit or variance, to install, operate, and maintain such marking or lighting as deemed necessary to assure both ground and air safety.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this article shall be subject to § 420-173 of this chapter, Violations and penalties.
Any person aggrieved by any action or decision of the Zoning Officer or Code Official involving administration of the provisions of this article may appeal following the procedure and requirements set forth in § 420-165 of this chapter (Appeals).
Where there exists a conflict between any of the regulations or limitations prescribed in this article and any other regulation applicable to the same area, the more stringent limitation or requirement shall govern and prevail.
If any of the provisions of this article or the application thereof to any person or circumstance are held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and, to this end, the provisions of this article are declared to be severable.