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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRe: complaint/helicopter noise � o� � o �� o �,, ���a~ " CITY of ORONO � � :�. �, ,����r� -� � �� � �;F�• �:� � M,��ot�� ,r ti �� � ,�, Post Office Box 66 �'� �"��,+''�`�i�.t�,���. �j ' Crystal Bay,Minnesota 5532.'�0066 �,�kES;I30.¢,�i May 5 , 1992 Timothy Duoos 1325 Shoreline Drive Wayzata, MN 55391 Dear Mr. Duoos: The City has received a complaint from a property owner on Browns Bay who reports of an intensification of helicopter use in the Browns Bay area. The resident did not specify the location and as a result the Orono staff has had to visit various sites seeking clarification as to which property owner uses a helicopter for transportation or other business related activities. In addition we asked if there was an intensification in helicopter use on Browns Bay within the last few months. Of the four residents contacted on Browns Bay, they confirmed that a helicopter was used by you daily for transportation to your business and that trips were limited to departure in the early morning and return in the evening. The City would appreciate your confirmation of this travel pattern and any other information as to a possible increase in use of the helicopter ovei- the past few months. The neighbor registering the complaint reports at least five to ten helicopter arrivals and departures per day. The City asks that you confirm in writing your pattern of helicopter use for our records. Sincerely, (�'��,� �� � y�'1 e��.�l��...����� r��� Jeanne A. 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(Q.ct:e r�i %le Q J¢- /KQ,�.y O� (k.c. �f�^+'l �t/�(.�C/C�4�!` Oi►. � �a�t �.�,, �i CB'nC rl�S ton , � QM �'0'r1 C�!'�t�d Q �l'f" /h.r�j.0 t{ (,�'iic� Q �o�r ce�++p ly,n y w,�i �u. `flft /<�k `Q T�`dnJ � Qn a� OfP�q, fi%�C1 %�- �t2 �COp�l i n G�„ ./ f'� �e � u.�o h�a✓�v� rfi�i�r. 1- ,�lh�c -�r�.H /G�,c- �Y��2�,+�.a ]�ta�� L- �'� ��lQll� s��� � ��OLc. , fa c✓a c� , r�" is clectr T�Q� ..� Q..t �ro � �C- Q�i%lt� �� �a� � C R �c Il.�t �pu�" f o.•.��Qt„ f� f �il /l/Q�,P�►S . /��!/p l�P/` r �tidu /a� -r'jll'a���i /" / /`l�C f Gt�/�. � �pis'o� G��e f7lls GL �i o��P� ,S�o �� 'f Z CQir Q�o;c� � �/f`r b' �eai /h2 ir' �!0 M.L_ . ,� Wi�� A �Ow�„ s'KQ�G G�✓%� �e�n � �1 cvj+.e1 6� ,�op� j�� c'�ir ca�,,fu c�f �a �� .v�.eci�re � a;.c.-� �' �`rQ �c o�e/ �Gu.. f��a�r''%i-r �.j /l-�/Q ,.�fir,,���.�a- ��e�t, � P�'y 1 rK �y `��� = a��C� � ` � . . � R22 - LOW NOISE LEVEL ; . The R22 Beta is the quietest production helicopter available. The aircraft's low noise �� level has been achieved by instailat�on of a heavy duty muffler and low taii rotor tip • speed. In addition to low external noise, the aircraft is also surprisingly quiet internally � due to thick acoustical foam installed between the cockpit and the powerplant/drive system installation. � In 1974, noise evaluation tests were conducted with the R22 helicopter by the Scientific Services Branch of the Greater London Council (GLC) in the United IGngdom as one � of the final �steps for Transport Category Certification of the R22 by the Civil Aviation Authority there. The technical team in charge of tha tests reported that the Robinson • R22 was the quietest helicopter ever tested by the GLC, whose noise standard requires ��' that helicopters must demonstrate noise leve(s equal to or less than 81 dB(A). The R22's test results revealed that its maximum noise fevel was only 72 d8 A , well below the established criteria. GLC evaluation tests generally require a minimum of nine � events (take-offs and landings), however, �Jlr. S.J. Fisher, Head for the Scientific Services Branch at that time, requested the test pilot to fly only four events since it was clear that the R22 was easily meeting the noise standard. � During the Summer of 1985, noise tssts w ere conducted �ointly by the U.S. FAA and the Helicopte� Association International at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. using eight � of the most mode�n helicopter types. The aircra�t tested ran � g..d in size from the Robinson R22 to the Sikorsky S-76. E�ctensive data was taken for. a variety of flight conditions, and the R22 was the quietest of the helicopters tested. Of particular interest � was the fly-over data which demonstrated that the R22 was quieter when flying over a populated area at 500 feet than any of the other helicopters test,e'd were when flying � over the same area at 1000 feet. � - COMPARISON OF THE SOUND OF THE HELICOPTER WITH NOISE PRODUCED BY SURFACE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES AND 6 FIXED—WING AIRCRAFT / _ � ���. .. (AT DISTANCE NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH SOUND SOURCES) 100 TURBOFAN AIRL (LANDINGlTAKE � EXCESSI V E LY ' �� � i� NOISY DIESEL TRUCK `�" . � �� . � MOTORCYCLE � � - - � �~ 9� -- U •� � �' �' � � t_:J.r r. �� . , : ^'��. ^� t J " ""-�^ _ DIESELTRAIN ` �: 4j -�T-�.:::�...� N O I S Y ti�;;;;:;�;;=. � � „�-,_�� , — r:�. 1 .. 'siL��n I �� . ` �:1 —'Y.:::.^ J ■� J, .a te':--_ � � ` _, • = ':.:'" 8ELL212 � �'s� .� � - � -"::�.. IL . ��- �� � , . 1� .. ; .r- �.� BELL 47G � � 80 L � C,O ' ,� ,-z-c�+� _ ACCEPTAB LE � � ' � � FREEWAY TRAFFIC � s • • ._1 BELL 206L ' � � � �' , HUGNE �� ' SPORTS 500D � QUIET cAR � / . HUGHES �p ENSTROM F28F•P SENTINEL � �H � . 1• ��t��onjHt� e __� AUTO ON STREET ' About Helicopter Noise 53 , Figure 16 also provides some basis for comparing helicopter noise to other familiar noises. � . � �.. 115 — . . `c�# , chain — — 1�� �::; ;i?'.'r saw `�'� �c� � — . 103 102 , — — 100 diesel train � (50 ft) , 95 — , — 90 helicopter 88 � ri gp ;,,� gp — '!�?; ;� (500 ft) �' -.��� — � heavy ��� =��st. �,. 82 y`i power ' SO 7g '� 80 77 lawnmower truck or f — inte�mediate bus � ' ' 73 (50 ft) 70 ���68 � — \\ light , 60 — — automobile dg�q� 60 � (50 ft) , Figure 16. Comparisoii of Soir�ids � . � • � . 52 Fly Neighborly Guide What do these noise levels mean? The following table provides some basis for comparison between the helicopter noise in the figures above, and other, familiar noises. � Table 1. Illi�str•ative Noises Home or Industry Human Judgment d8(A) Overall Level Community(Outdoo�) (Indoor) of Loudness j military jet aircraft ' uncomfo�tably loud takeoff�from aircraft � 130 carrier at 50 ft(130) t 120 d6(A) ; 120 oxygen torch(121) 32 times as loud turbofan aircraft at riveting machine (110) �k very loud takeoff power at 200 ft rock-and-roll band 110 dB(A) ` 110 (118) (108-114) 16 times as loud 'w , jet flyover at 1000 ft 100 dB(A) 'I ► 100 (103) 8 times as loud power mowe�(95) newspaper press (97) 90 d6(A) 90 motorcycle at 25 ft (90) 4 times as loud ' car wash at 20 ft (89) food blender (88) moderately Ioud diesel truck at 40 mph at milling machine (85) 80 50 ft(84) - garbage disposal (80) high urban ambient 80 d6(A) sound (80) twice as loud passenger car at living room music(76) Relerence 65 mph at 25 ft (77) TV audio,vacuum 70 cleaner (70) 70 dB(A) electric typewriter at 10 air conditioning unit at ft(64) 60 100 ft (60) dishwasher(rinse) at 10 - ft (60) 60 d8(A) conversation (60) tii/2 as loud quiet large transformers at 50 dB(A) 50 100 ft (50) 1/4 as loud bird calls (44) ' lower limit of urban 40 dB(A) 40 ambient sound (40) 1/8 as loud 10 just audible d6(A) scale interrupted � threshold of hearing , . c DATE: 10-5-94 TO: Chief Sullivan FROM: Officer Erickson SUBJECT: Helicopter Restrictions Per your direction, I researched the laws and regulations that govern helicopter use. I spoke to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) . I found the FAA does not have any restriction on helicopter landing and take-off. The FAA inspector that I spoke with suggested that I check with the State of Minnesota, Dept. of Transportation, Aeronautics Division. I called the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation Aeronautics Division. I spoke with Rick Braunig in the helicopter section (296-8059) . Rick informed me that the State has very little to regulate helicopter landing and take-off operations. The only restriction that the State has in place is a requirement that any heliport located within a 5 mile radius of any public use airport must be licensed by the State. The closest public use airport to Minnetonka Beach is in Maple Plain. Minnetonka Beach is outside the 5 mile radius from the Maple Plain airport. The closest limit of that 5 mile radius would be Coffee Bridge, Bohns Point, and Noerenberg Park. Points northwest of these locations fall within the 5 mile radius, however - all of Minnetonka Beach is outside the restricted area. Rick Braunig told me that generally helicopter use along with heliport operations, be they private or public, would be restricted by City Ordinance. In checking I find the vast majority of inetro cities do not have any helicopter restrictions. Of the cities that do deal with helicopter usage, they restrict the helicopters through land use and zoning regulations. Under local ordinances heliports, public or private, are generally restricted to business or industrial zones and require conditional use permits. Some of the cities that I found that do have restrictions are Minnetonka, Golden Valley, Bloomington and Orono. The City of Bloomington also has an ordinance that covers air craft landings as a single special event that requires a permit. Regular or routine helicopter use is restricted to heliports authorized by the Bloomington City zoning code. The City of Orono through its zoning regulations under section 10.02, paraqraph 3, defines heliport under section 10.50-3(A) (3) , "heliports are an allowed use by conditional use permit in the industrial district only�� . This is further restricted to an accessory use to the primary use of the property. In that heliports are not listed as an allowed use in any C page 2. residential or commercial district in the Orono zoning code and the code prohibits use other than those listed, heliports would not be allowed in Orono residential or commercial districts. Section 10.60-3 of the Orono code deals with noise egtending beyond the boundaries of the plat line of the site in which use is located as does subd. 7 of the same section dealinq with vibration extending beyond the lot lines of the site. I am including copies of the Orono zoning regulations and a copy of the Bloomington city ordinance dealing with single event use of aircraft. During my conversations with Rick Braunig, he suggested that if the city wished to consider passing an ordinance dealing with helicopter usage and establishment of heliports, that reference be made to the Minnesota Department of Transportation Aeronautics rules as defined in chapter 8800, Minnesota rules as adopted by the State of Minnesota. . Rick indicated that if a city were to adopt those rules, that the licensing requirement of the State of Minnesota could be eztended to heliports outside the 5 mile radius. The 5 mile radius is restricted as mandatory by state statute but can be egtended if adopted by local ordinance. A copy of the State rules is also included for your review. In doing this research I also became aware that the Metropolitan Council had looked at heliport feasibility in the Twin Cities area. I obtained a copy of their February 1989 report along with their heliport model ordinances as published in January of 1990. These reports are also included. The bottom line to everything that I have found out so far is that there is no restriction on helicopter usage coming and going from Minnetonka Beach. The only way that usage can be restricted or governed is if Minnetonka Beach wishes to pass a city ordinance dealing with helicopter usage and the land usage of a private use helipad. If an ordinance is going to be considered, I would suggest that consideration be given to the following uses: air ambulance, State Patrol, Metro Mosquito Control, private use, news media, and disabled craft (emergency landinq) . Perhaps a phrase being included into the ordinance authorizing ��emergency landings or at the direction of a police officer on the scene° would give us authorization to land needed helicopters, but give us the ability to restrict unwanted private use, news gathering, etc. Also if an ordinance is to be looked at, would there be interest in having it broad enough to cover other situations such as hot air balloons, parachute jumpers, personal air craft (ultra lights) and f� page 3. sea planes. We recently had a situation occurring in Long Lake where hot air balloons were being landed in a residential neighborhood, causinq a number of reports to be called in about a hot air balloon crashing until it was determined that it was a planned landing. I am sure this is not the last time that we will have that situation occur. I trust this provides some insight into the current status of restrictions and gives a preliminary guidance as to what could be done should there be a desire to restrict helicopter usage.