The city council Monday night held up a proposed plan by a well-known local businessman to offer weekend helicopter rides to the public from his special pad at 755 North Shore Road.
Steven Williams of North Shore Road Trust is seeking a special permit to operate his unique heliport touring business, but the council was somewhat wary of the proposal and as a result referred the matter to its zoning sub-committee for further study and review.
Last year, Williams actually began his helicopter touring business under the impression that it was an allowable use of the property, which is in “a technology enterprise district”.
When he was eventually informed by the city that helicopter touring was, in fact, not permitted in that district, Williams asked the city council to make a zoning change, adding heliport operation to the list of uses allowed by special permit.
That zoning revision was approved in early December 2011.
The matter now before the city council is Williams’ application for a special permit for the operation of his heliport.
The most concern about the proposal Monday night was expressed by city councillors John Powers and Brian Arrigo.
Powers wants a flight path designed so that the helicopter will not fly over any local homes. He’s also interested in restricting the number of operational hours.
Arrigo charged that Williams has advertised helicopter flights on weekdays, not just weekends.
Atty. Lawrence Simeone, Jr., said Williams is willing to work with neighbors and abutters relative to his flight patterns and would be most willing to meet with residents in the area to discuss the proposal in more detail.
Simeone, who contended that a heliport has existed there since 1978, stated to the council that his client has no intention of flying over homes unless it’s in approved airspace – “Class B Bravo” space – deemed for ascending and descending of the aircraft.
“We will do whatever it takes to cooperate with the neighbors,” said the attorney.
Powers suggested that the attorney draft a letter to the residents west of north shore road – to host a possible weekend neighborhood meeting – to see what Mr. Williams is proposing.
“Mr. Williams has been a fine businessman for many years,” said the ward five councillor.