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Neighbors Object To Eye Doctor's Helipad Plan

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlwhite@tampatrib.com

Published: December 24, 2008

TAMPA - Residents working on a community plan for Brandon say a proposal to build an emergency helistop for a medical eye-care center near Brandon Regional Hospital would be disruptive to the community.

Gregory L. Henderson, a local eye doctor, is asking Hillsborough County for a major modification to a 1983 development plan to permit a private helicopter pad, medical office and commercial apartment building on an acre parcel on Lake Eichenfeld north of Eichenfeld Drive, east of Vonderburg Drive and Brandon Regional Hospital, according to planner Michael Horner.

The original plan called for a mix of uses including retail, offices and a restaurant.

Henderson's helipad would be about 400 feet from the hospital's helipad, but would be smaller to accommodate the Robinson L 44 helicopter, which is quieter than the larger emergency copters used by the hospital, Horner said. The helipad would be used 12 to 15 times a month with the majority of flights occurring before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

"This is a helicopter that's been used with great success because of its agility, safety, quiet operation, and my client certainly has a vested interest in making sure all three of these factors are implemented because he'll be the one flying it," Horner said.

Henderson not only faces opposition from members of the community plan study team, but also from his neighbors.

Planner Ethel Hammer was on hand to represent Paul and Susan Levine, who own property on the lake north of Henderson's parcel.

"Their parcels include a significant portion of the lake that is to the south of their office buildings," she said. "They purchased these properties on the lake for their beautiful setting and have enjoyed this location for over 25 years.

"The most obvious reason for their objection is the noise impact of having a helipad in such close proximity to their office buildings."

She noted that even a Robinson 44 helicopter gives off 81 decibels of noise at a height of 500 feet, which is significant.

"It will obviously be much louder when it is landing, preparing for takeoff and actually taking off over the lake," she said. "In fact, there is literature that suggests the decibel reading of a helicopter at ground level preparing to take off is approximately 100 decibels. To put that in perspective, EPC's noise ordinance ... has a standard of 65 decibels for commercial areas."

Vivian Baca, one of the residents who have been meeting with county planners for the past 18 months to put together a community plan for Brandon, thinks it's a threat to wildlife in the area.

Zoning hearing master Steve Luce will make a recommendation on the proposal early next month.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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