HomeMy WebLinkAboutTOWN OF VAIL VAIL UNPLATTED 1982 APPROVAL TO LOCATE HELIPAD WEST OF MUNI BUILDING LEGALLhrlnwl'
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DATE:
SUBJECT:
BACKGROUND
MEMORANDUI'I
Planning and Environrnental Cormission
Department of Commun'ity Development
APril 5r,1982
Amendment to the zoning code to jnclude
the Public Use Distict, a heli"pad forApplicant: Town of Vail-:=-
as a conditional use in
emergency use only.
'is to inc'lude in the zoning code provisions for-the appl for a conditional
use.perm_it in the Public Use District for a helipad f e only.It is felt at this time after evaluating the sitiration)most appropriatelocation for such a he'lipad would be the area west of ihe m/n'icipal posi'ofiice.
This location is a centra'l one for the Gore val1ey, but moy'e impbrtairtly isin close proximity to the Vail hospital allowing lpeedy ty'anspoi-tation of
emergency patients requiring he'licopter service. Also location west ofthe-post office is wel'l suited for a heli.pad with regay'd to the predoninantoffice use in the inmediate sunounding area,
\*ECOMMENDATiON
The Department ofto amend the zoni
Cormunity Development recomnend approval of the request
use in the Publ ic Use Districtcode to allow as a conditi
a he]i-pad forl use on1y. l,Je feel tha this amendment to the zoning
code is the fi rd provfsion of a s table location in the Villagefor a he'l i-pad use.
In the past, helicopters have'landed jn variqus areas of the town basicallywith no officjal approva'l or thought put 'into the appropriate location for
such a use, This has el icited severai complaints fibm iunounding property
owners concerning adverse effects of the landing of a helicopter. This request
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CO ADO STATE DEPARTMENT OF
DIVISION OF.HIGHWAYS
Novenlf,er 30, 1981
more. . . .
Mr. Richard CaPlan
Town l'lanager
Town of VaiI
P. O. Box 100
Vail, co 81657
Dear Mr. CaPlan:
We have decided to give conditional approval for the con-
struction or a r'eiipad foi emergency purposes^only at the site
ieferred to in your letter of November 24' I98I'
Though we are concerned by the distraction potential to
motoristsonbottrtheFrontageRoadandthemainlinesofl-70
as well as the p"""i[iritv oi the Prop wash creati"g^i^!:?:1tt
*i*t visibiLity by producing a snow cloud' we also recognaze
the need for an "i,"ig"ttty Uefipad in the Vail area'
The following list of conditions is provided for your con-
sideration before ie will sanction a trial period:
1. AlI costs associated with the construction
and rnaintenance of the helipad must be borne
Uy-ttt. parties involved other than the Colorado
Division of HighwaYs.
2. AII parties associated with the use of the helipad
assume fuff iesponsibility and liabilities with re-
sPect to any'i"'"ia."t, inlident or circumstance that
may occur as a result of the usage of tle helipad'
Said partles must also agree to indemnify the colorado
Dj-vision ot Higlwayt tt"i loss or €lamage resuJ-ting
iio* "rry "."ia6"t. ineident or circumstance that nay
occurasaresultoftheusageofthehelipad.we
ask that such protection to the Colorado Division of
Hishways b" ;t;;i;;e-i; the form of an insurance policv'
3. The fencing musL be rnaintained between the site and the
mainline of I-?0 -
4. This conditional approval is for a one year trial-
perioa ""a *iV-Ue ilvotea at. any time if the. operation
is determineJ-to Ue detrimental- to the health' safety
and welfare of the motoring public'
P.O. Box 2107 GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81502 (303) 242-2862
Page 2t'tr. Richard CaPlan
From Mr. D. B. CamPbell
DBC:1mw
XC: Prosence
aradburY,/Drieth
Lt. Woods - CSP - Eagle
CamPbell
f il-e
The site is to be used only for emergency PurPoses
and no comrnercial or private use will be allowed'
Such usage witt be grounds for revokation of the
conditioial approval of the site for a hel-ipad'
We will also require that the site be restored to
its original coridition when it is no longer used
as a helipad.
Access to the site must be from the Frontage Road,
i"a "" access, either vehicular or pedestrian, will
be allowed to the mainlines or ramps of I-70'
5.
5.
7.
Very truly Yours,
R. A. PROSENCE
DISTRICT ENGINEER
DISTRICT SAFETY & TRAFFIC ENGINEER
BY
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71.
Chap 7.
Par 70
AC 150/5390-rB
CHAPTER 7. IIELIPORT VISUAL AIDS
GENERIL. Recorrnendatlons for narklng an<l ltghttng of ground-1evel
hell.ports are baaed on tests conducted for the FAA wlth the cooperatLon
and lnvolvenent of civLl and mllLtary helicopter pllota. For day VFR
operatlons, Lt ls recomended that the takeoff and landlng area be
raarked and that the helLport be equlpped with a eultable wlnd dlrectloo
ladlcator. For nlght VFR operatlons, Lt ls reconnended that the
takeoff and landing area and the wlnd direction lndlcator also be
llghted and a hellport ldentLficatlon beacon be Lnetalled.
l{AE&Il{G. FAA etandards for marklng hellports aerve two purposes. One
type;f narking senres to identify the heHportte deslgnated takeoff
and landLng area and provldes vleual approach cuea to the p11ot. The
eecood type of narking provLdes guldance for ground novenent and
helLcopter parklng. Harklngs may be painted on paved surfacee usLng
reflectLve or oonreflective palut of the recormended color. A 6-lnch
(15 cn), or nl.der, black (red for hospl.tal heltporte) border nay be
used to enhance painted narkl.ngB. The marking of turfed hellports nay
be acconpll.shed in a varLety of waye.
a. IdentlfLcatl.on Marklngs.Heli.port narklngs identlfylng the takeoff
and landLng area are white.They are centered on the dealgnated
takeoff and landing area. DlmensLons for these markings are shorm
on the referenced flguree._
(1) Standard l{ellport @!qt-. The standard hellport roarker
ffinded to ldentlfy the deeLgnated
takeoff and landing area of a hellport. Wtrtle thls eynbol le
wldely uaed throughout the hellcotrfgsa lnduatry, a number of
private-use and personal-uae he1lport6 are eLther not rnarked
at all or utl1lze a conpany logo or some other uarklng recoguized
by the hellcopter pllote authorl.zed to uae the faclllty.
(2) EoapLtal l{ellport arker. A red letter ttHtt Lrposed ln the
niddle of a whlte croBB (Flgute 7-2) 18 recolnnended ae the
ldentlfler of a hospLtal heliport. Exlstlng hoapltal helLporta
ehould convert to thlB color pattera at the flrat opportunlty
slnce the prevlous etandard of a whlte t'Ett on a red cross
background La no longer reconnended. The color reversal is
neceaaary to prevent confllct wlth the eynbo 1 of the American
Red Crosa.
Page Jl
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FIGI'RE 7.2. FSCO}f'IENDED HOSPITAL HBLIPORT NARKINGS
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t8"(45 cnl TOUGHDOWN PAD EOUNDARY
NOTES:
1: 'The cross and touchdown pad bounrlary maikings are nhite and
loay be edged vlth a 6-lnch (1-5 cra) red border to lmprove
contrast.
_ fhe letter t'H" ls red.
2. The touchdown' pad boundary marklng rnay be clther' a solLd
or segrnented 1ine.
.
B/zz/77
Page 60 Chap 7
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November 24, L98t
l[r. Dave Campbell
Colorado Department of HlghwaYs
P.O. Box 2107
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Dear Dave:
As you know, the Town of Vail has been seeking an appropriate
site for an emergensy helipad for quite a few years' Because
of the narrow coistriints of our valtey we have beep unsuccessful
tn securing a p"ntanent location. our situation must be met with
finding a perninent location which is in close proximity to the
VaiL Vif:-"y lt.di."l Center and can be assured of being free of
automobiles as well as easily snowplowed.
After reviewing and utillzing numerous sites over the past few
years on both public and private land, we have concluded that
ine Uest Location in terms of proximity to the hospital and
accessibility for snowplows and ambulances is a triangular
slte irmedialely west of the U.S. Post Offlce. This site
is under the ownership of the Town of vail. However, there
is the possibility of both minor encroachment onto the state
right-o}-way as well as the potential issue of distraction to
palsing motorists. While r e recognize the proximity to the
interslate, 1et me assure that the nature of the uses for
emergency purposes which fortunately are infrequent as well
as uiuatiy-oclurring after hours when traffic is at a minimum.
We have discussed sites at length with Fl-ight Operations Engineer
Daniel Reich of st. Anthony's Hospital . After considerable re-
search with he and other pitots in the area we have jointly,
concluded that this site i.s the best location for such a pad.
Lastly, I understand that there may be some possible concern
about lr:-naing snow as the helicopter bovers to ]and. It is
my understanding that this type of helicopter does not hover,
nut tands right away. In addition, during,conditions of
bLowing snow the heiicopter visibility would be such that
takeoffs or landings would not occur.
75 loulh lronlage road
vall, colorado 81657
(303) 476-7000
,r.O3
t[r, Dave Ca,npbell
Irlovember 24r'LSBL
Page 2
Therefore, I thlnk with any appropriate slgning or other safe-guards which you may feel are necessary we hopefully nay b'eable to work together to proceed with this location as aoon.as possi-ble so that emergency services nay be improved forthls coning rinter
Thank you for your prompt attentlon to thls matter. Shouldyou bave any furtber questtons please feel free to contact me.
rely yours,
4alchard Caplan
Town llanager
cc: Chlef Dlck IluranVail Flre Department
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Novcnbcr 2ll, 1981Ittchacl Rausch
Chairman, Eaglc Co. El{S Councll
P.o. Box 507
Avon, Colorado 81520
Itr. Davc CanPbell
Coloraito DcPt. of l{lghwaYs
P.0. Box 210?
Granil Junctlonr Colorado 81501
Dcar l{r. CanPbc}l;
I an rrttlng on bchalf of thp Enclgcncy t{c<llca} Councll of Eaglc Cotrnty'
Or"-;ot ls io lnp:rovc rcillcal scrvlccg ln thc County ard to advlec
if," 6o,tnty Connlislonsr3 Ba to our Buggcatlone aE to waya thcsc ecrvlces
can bc lnprovcil.
onc of thc groblcn a,rcae for thls alca re.e thc leck of a pcrnancant
iitrlitg "fti t* hcllcoptcn rnaftlng crcrgcncy-tlcllvcrlcs of nsillcal
"oppffl" to thc yall vallcy Mcillcal Ccnter ard-plcklng.uP cr{tlcal
paiicnte bclng transfcrrcil to othcr hoepltale for trcatrcat not
avallablc et thc local lcvcl.
In tr7lng to aolvc thls problcnl lcvcttl locatlons vcrc coneldcrcd as
poestf,lc-ettce for a landtng sltc. Thc onc chooecn by tbc pllota_es tln
icet for thcn r1s a tr{angplar p1coc otr latd Juet caet of t}p Vall Pogt
Offlcc. Thls sltc ras also dcslrablc bccauac of ltE cloec proxlntty to
thc hoapltal a.nil bccaugc of thc cetlr acccss to ttr arce.
[c anc accklng yout approvlal for the ucc of thls lard aa I clcrTcncJr
lanllng slte for lrcllcoptcrs conlng lnto tzlrc Vall arca for cncr6cncy
rcasoru. Thc lard le on thc hlghney ilcpartncntfc r{ght-of-ray for I-70.
Te 1cellzc thet t}1te ny fron tlnc to tlp caugc problcus rlth trtfflc
on I-?0r but rc bcllcw tbat ttrte rtll bc dnlnalr ad that thcrc 1111 only
bc a llnttcil nulbcr o'f landlrys tdtlng placc. Thcsc lnoblane rlll bc
far outrclghcaf Dt thc bcncflta of a slnglc pcrnancnat lenil'lng sltc ln
thc arca. Pllotg 1111 ba norc fanlller rlth tbc cltc. It v111 bc evatleblc
at all tlnc lrd not aubJact to thc parktng p,roblcns rhlch havc pla6ucil
lentlngg ln thc pst.
Iorr conetdlcratlon of thls tattcr ta apprcclatcalr anal rc hopc that
a epcc{y appf,oral 1111 bc fortlrconclng.
9lnccrclyl
Chalrran, Ea6Ic Co. Elfi. Councll.
O
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75 gouth tronlage road
vall, colorado 81657
(303) 476-7000
November 18, 1981
Dave Campbel I
Colorado Dept. of Highways
Box 2107
Grand Junction, C0 81501
RE: Helipad Location in Vail
Dear Mr. Campbell:
I would'like to discuss the proposed Helipad'located west of the Post
0ffice. As you know, Vai'l,is in need of a permanent site for the
St. Anthonyfi ,'F'l ight for Life" Helicopter rescue operation. Consultations
with representatives of St. Anthony's have told us the best location for
a Helipad to be the area stightly west of the Post Office. There are many
reasoni behind this choice. -First, the site is located very near the
hospital and the length of time needed to transport a patient wou'ld be
kepi to a minimum. The site also offers a central location for the 10
miie long Gore Va'lley. Another reason is the pilot favors this location
over all-other locations because of the ease in which he can find the site
and the lack of obstacles. Finally, very iittle work wi'll need to be
done to make the site operationa'|.
I understand the Highway Department's objections to this site are
two-fo'ld. The He]icopter would distract drivers on I-70 and the Frontage
Road and m,ight cause visibi'lity problems in the winter whi'le hovering. The
distractions caused by the He1 icopter will be minimal because most
the flights occur at night and flights average approximate'ly 20 per year.
My understanding is that this site will never be allowed to become a
commercia'l landing site. Visibi'lity problems can also be addressed by
beeming around thi site so that the "White 0ut" area can be minimized.
Since ihe craft lands directly and does not hover this condition of poor
visib'ility may not even exist.
I hope you wil'l reconsider our request to use this area for a vital
operation'like the "Flight for Life." I be] ieve a trial approval may be in
order so we can better determine the feasibility of using this site-
Please contact me if you would like to discuss this further.
S'i ncerely,
E^lt (c.-L--,.'..r-
Bill Andrews
Town Engineer
BA/J b
lnwn
75 soulh fronlage road
vail, colorado 91657
(303) 476_7000
November 19, 1981
Dave Campbel1
Colorado Dept. of Eighways
Box 21O7
Grand Junction, Co. 81501
Re: Emergency Helipad
Dear Mr. Campbell:
As you may know the Vail Va11ey is in desperate need of a helipadfor St. Anthony's "Flight for Life" helicopter operation. With theVail Valley Medical Center serving the upper end of Eagle County,Vail seems to be the logical site. In a discussion I had withLarry Drieth, he informed me that you would have concerns aboutthe site being distraction to motorists.
Much effort to find a site that would not endanger any property
or life has been done on our part. I have met with Daniel Reich,
who is flight operatlons engineer for St. Anthony's. After com-pleting a study of the Gore ValLey the area just west of the Vail
Post Office presents the best site. f have enclosed a letter fromMr. Reich addressing this site and study. f also have enclosed aletter from the town engineer, who has prepared a layout of the
area v/e would like to use for this emergency heli-pad.
I hope you will consider this site and if I can be of any helpplease feel free to call me at 476-2200 or if you are in the areafeel free to stop in at the station.
Sincerely,
/
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Diek DuranFlre ChiefVa1l Fire Department
DD/gd
E. V KUHLIVIAN. Executive Director
Sept€mber 11, 1981
Rlchard Caplan
Vall Town Manager
Box 567
VaiI, CoJ.orado 81658
Dear Richard:
On behaLf of St. Anthony ttospltal Systemre Fl-ight Operations,I would like to express my support ln the efforts to designate
an emergency nedlcal hellcopter landLng faci.l_lty ln VaL1,
CoI-orado.
I have beeu associateil wLth Fltght For Life since Lts
ioceptlon Ln L972, orlglnal-ly as a Flight For Llfe heLlcopterpilot, later as operatlons manager for the hellcopter and
fixed-wlng pxogr€rm under contract lrlth Fllght For Life,
and presently as F]-lght Operations Engineer rrith St. AnthonyIlospltal Systems. I was invoLved during the ValI- gondoJ-a
nishap and many other mountain operatLons.
So Lt was lyith great l-nterest that I accepted the invLtation
fron Captain Tim Lahey lrlth the Vall FLre Departnent toconsult on the selectLon of a possibLe permanent Landing slteln Vall for ernergency hellcopter gerviceg.
On Auguet 25, L98L I accompanled Capt. Lahey to four areas
under consideration. A11 four areas have excelleot potentl"alfor establlshing energency heLicopter landing faci!"lties.
Both of the sites associated with the soccer field on the east
end of tow'n have good ingress and egress routes. To facilitate
night. operations ll-ghting woul-d be neceesary. Boundary
narkers, a l-ighted wintlsock, and obstructlon markers would plovlde
optlmum safety.
EFt
Foundet ol Fhght Fo( Lile.
Richard Caplan
Vall Town Manager
Box 567
VaLl, Colorado 81658
Page 2...
The site which ls presently the horse stable on the north side of
I-70 ls situated such that it Ls away from the congestion and
present populace and provides easy access for the helicopter.
Ltghting an<l markers would be requlred.
The fourth side dl-rectl-y west of the post offlce provides
several advantages for designatlon as a hellcopter landing site.
Its elevation provides a natural safety barrler since the landlng
site is higher than the surrounding terrain and slmulates a raised
helipad.
The lnterstate highway affords the most ldeal route for ingress
and egress to the landing slte.
Some llghtlng is already present and the posslbility of tylng lnto
exlstlng electriclty would he1-p resolve the 1-lghtlng requirement for
night operatlons.
Dlstance fron the hospital to the hell.copter ls a consLderatlon.
Transporting of the fllght crew from the hel-icopter to the hospital
and patlent and returning r.l-th the patient to the helicopter consumes
t ftre.
In ny overalL evaLuation, the site adJacent to the post offlce presents
the best possiblllties for an emergency hellcopter landing site.
If I can be of any further asslstance, pl-ease contact me.
Daniel R. Rel-ch
Flight Operatlons Eng ineet
DRR/Jw
cc: George Seaton
Lyn Morgan
Chief Duran
APPLICATION FORI4 FOR
CONDITIONAI, USE PERMIT
I. This procedure is reguired for any project required to obtain a
Conditional Use Permit.
The application will not be accepted until all inforrration is
subnitted.
A. NAI.IE OF APPLICATIT / I rik?
ADDRESS
ADDRESS
Dt,o,.; Dv. d,l, /
'-\i\l
B. NArrtE OF Appr,ICAlrTfS REPRESBiTEATTVE u;Ck t\)f N
lulalulss lJ N. tlrtaood Dri, dA. l , rioffit/}"'zto d.
c.Aur'oRrzArr-oN oF pRopERrv owNER G/o"L DS "t 4, 7hu,,1
&SIGNAT1RE tf{
"r/eo -
D. LOCJMION OI' PROPOSAL
ADDREsS fl{tY
PEoNE </)L,' ZZ o cl
PEONE
E.to the
to be
F. A'list of the name of owners of all
subject property and their addresses.
,r0
49tS!*!0.00 plus an anount equal
NY' rate for each property owner
L'EGAI DESCRIPTfON Lot Block riljn
then current first-class Postagenotified hereunder.
property adjacent to the
eae, Srnr /& e +rtt/rr4t'
r5r Orgte*t ota H/kttl'/t?/S
Po. 6oAa-loa
6y6sru fDr-qtAN )ctLo. ?
TtgaL
fttN: tBfLuz€ Ctuf rka.t
t/*S.?asrau 5€E4k{
/// So"y'( frr,(i'
nvU. ,n)sr/44;"F:t_
Hr c,qtsT
gonctltj.onal USe Permi-t Page z
,e o^tE c*usa+uenfP^ nlttlttfI.. four (4) c
' A. A description of the precise nature of the proposed use and
its operating characteristics, and measures proposed to make
the-use compatible with other properties in the vicinity.
B. A site pJ.an showing proposed development of the site, including
topography, building locations, parking, traffic circulation,
useable open space, landscaped area, an4 utilities and drainage
features. lM l2lLc
C. Preliminary building plans and elevations sufficient to indicate
. the dimensions, general appearance, scale, and interior plan ofall buildirlgs. Nn
D. Any additional rnaterial necessary for the review of ttre application
as detenuined by the zoning Admj-nistrat "ot '56 lrLf
III. Ti:ne requirements
'llhe Planning and Environmental Commission meets on the 2nd and 4th
Mondays of each month. An application with the necessary accompanyingrnaterial must be submitted four weeks prior to the date of the
rneeting.
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