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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPEC140011 Vail Homeowners Association Document 112414VAIL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. East & West Flight Paths from proposed VVMC Heliport — Helicopter flight paths overfly Sandstone School and many other occupied properties along the North and South Frontage Roads. VVMC Master Plan — VHA Analysis of Flight Paths and Helicopter Pad Locations: The accompanying graphics depict a comparison of helicopter flight path configurations (shown in yellow, green and blue) for the existing CDOT helipad and that which is proposed for the VVMC campus. The VVMC proposal would overfly the Red Sandstone School and many developed properties with occupied commercial and residential structures. VVMC proposes to limit the intrusion of structures into their proposed flight path. The existing CDOT helipad and flight path, favored by VHA, significantly limits the severity and extent that VVMC bound helicopters would overfly, thereby reducing the public safety risk to occupied commercial and residential properties. Close up of flight path shows impact upon some of the many surrounding properties along the South Frontage Road from proposed VVMC Helipad. East & West Flight Paths from existing CDOT Heliport — Paths overflies the fewest properties. The exception is the Vail Municipal Complex, which has been in the flight paths for the past several decades and would be similarly impacted by either helipad location. The difference between the two helipad locations has a significant implication for affected property owners. A year ago, the Vail Homeowners Association (VHA) and adjacent property owners, out of increasing concern for public safety, negotiated with VVMC helicopter operators to use the Interstate 70 corridor for the flight paths to access the CDOT helipad. As Federal Aviation standards became known, it was evident that the safest location throughout the community for a helipad was in the current MOT location. Proposed VVMC Helipad 75' Tower Building VVMC Helipad Proposal: The proposed relocation of the MOT heliport to the planned VVMC location on the northern edge of their campus requires the helipad to be built on the roof of a 75 foot tower building in order to minimize its flight path conflict with existing and adjacent properties. Even then, it is the intent VVMC's proposal to place height restriction and perhaps other limitations upon structures and properties, which they do not own, that are located in their proposed flight path. This, some believe, would be appropriating property rights, without compensation. The VVMC Tower helipad location would also have the effect of radiating industrial level landing and takeoff noise to a much larger area than is the case with the existing MOT helipad. Additionally, the design of the helipad provides minimal public safety protection to residents and passersby should there be a crash on the pad. Instances of pad crashes have occurred in other locations in the United States. A consultant's report evaluating the VVMC Helipad proposal was prepared on behalf of neighboring property owners. The report confirmed public safety concerns that their properties could be adversely impacted by the VVMC proposal, more so than leaving the helipad in the present MOT location. Further, that the VVMC's analysis does not include additional public safety concerns about their proposed flight path raised by the neighborhood's consultant. Supporting Infrastructure Critical to Public Safety: To eliminate the time lost in making ambulance transfer of VVMC patients to the MOT helipad, VHA has proposed a pedestrian tunnel or sky bridge be built between the MOT helipad and the VVMC master planned relocation of its new emergency care facility to be located on the east side of its campus. This would reduce the transfer time to the MOT helipad to a negligible difference. The Town of Vail could incorporate the CDOT helipad into its plan to build a 160 — 325 space public parking structure on the municipal building site. The number of proposed parking spaces will generate enough people so that, in the interest of public safety, it will require a separated pedestrian crossing on the South Frontage Road for the public using the parking structure. This improvement along with a new South Frontage Road roundabout with truck ramp to remove all VVMC traffic from Vail Road and West Meadow Drive, and other improvements noted in the graphic below will enhance the public safety and environmental compatibility of the Vail Valley Medical Center with the surrounding residential neighborhoods. J VHA proposal to retain Existing CDOT Emergency Community Heliport (green) minimize over flight of developed/occupied buildings and properties. VHA proposed SFR Roundabout tits t to give full vehicular access . to VVMC, rather than from WMDr �l j VHA proposed VVMC SFR Truck Ramp (red) to reloca loading terminal in west parting Proposed� r � lCdlfd!! r S7I1A - Remove street level noise pollution by relocatii air handling equipment to a rooftop location compatible with surrounding residences. VHA - Limit proposed VVMC '44I Dr storefronts to posed new parldug EXISTINf: MuHICdPAL OVIL'QING TO BE RENOVATED 1 REMAIN y ]ipo B raage _ - . IF Ynposed TDV Tedestrian/ VMC Patient CDCT Heliport Access Tunnel (limkj - f 4 — ��- ,r J — —. g intenop .. L� —I— I IGMI Y.ar The designated improvements in the graphic above are suggested as appropriate public and private investments to ensure that the Vail Valley Medical Center is compatible with the residential qualities of the West Meadow Drive and other impacted neighborhoods. It is the desire of VHA and the affected neighborhoods that appropriate investments are made to sustain the viability of the Medical Center in the Vail community for decades to come.