Proposed Heliport on Dundee Road Has Local Residents Saying NIMBY
by James Coulter
A heliport proposed to be built near Dundee Road in Winter Haven has many residents up in arms over potential noise pollution and wind damage.
At their regular meeting on Monday evening, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the Conditional Use application that permits the construction of the proposed heliport.
The heliport is proposed to be constructed on a 4.2± acre parcel located at 4900 Dundee. It would be used to accommodate the landings, takeoffs, and storage of a personal use helicopter owned by HRB Industrial Park for business purposes.
The subject parcel, upon which the heliport is proposed to be built, is zoned Industrial (I-1) and already contains a 3,314-square-foot office, a 4,000-square-foot warehouse, and a 5,100-square-foot shell building. The permitted hours of operations, as approved by the City Commission, for the helicopter will be between 8 am and 6 pm.
Upon reviewing the proposal, city staff concluded that the proposed heliport would be “consistent with the mixed-use character of the Dundee Road corridor and the existing industrial designations on the property” and thus “have minimal impacts to public infrastructure.”
However, many residents who live near the land where the heliport would be built have raised complaints and concerns about the potential noise pollution, wind damage, and safety hazards from the helicopter’s operation.
One resident, Charise Gills, moved to that location with her autistic son to “get away from the noise” of the city limits. However, she commented that the proposed heliport would not only create noise but could also produce wind damage that could affect her insurance.
“Please do not drive me out,” she said. “We can hear a helicopter miles away. We do not want to hear it outside the house.”
Joan Morgan stated that she has been a city resident since 1971, and has owned her house in that area since 2015. The helicopter strip would face her house. As such, she worries the helicopter would shake the foundation and walls, disrupt her gas appliances, and even increase her insurance from potential wind damage.
“We do not need a set of M.A.S.H. coming over our home,” she said.
Kelly Smith stated that she lives on the opposite end of the corner where the heliport would be built. As a resident for eight years, and as someone who works from home, she fears the helicopter would be a disturbance. She also claims to have a petition of 332 signatures against the proposed construction.
“We are worried about a helicopter flying close to home,” she said. “This will increase the chance of a helicopter crashing into our home. We have to face property values decreasing and insurance increasing.”
Harold Baxter, the applicant for the proposed heliport, and the owner of HRB Industrial Park, stated he understands the concerns. He insists the helicopter would only be taking off and landing from the north over pastures and away from other residents.
Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Yates moved to approve the Conditional Use, but under the condition that the helicopter flight route specifically travel in and out from the north.
Staff clarified that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ultimate jurisdiction over flight patterns.
As such, Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Yates amended his motion to approve the proposal under the condition that the helicopter follow a flight route to and from the north and that the applicant agrees that the Conditional Use order would be revoked if the FFA overrides the decision.
The motion was also made under the condition that the proposed hours of operations be specified as being between 8 am to 6 pm (and not vaguely as from dawn until dusk), and that the helicopter used will be an R44 helicopter only as currently owned by the applicant.
The motion was made and seconded, and it was passed through a 3-2 vote.
