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CC RESOLUTION 1424RESOLUTION NO. 1424 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUA?CIL OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE APPLI_ CATION OF DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO., INC. FOR AN UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT (HELIPORT); CONCURRING IN THE RECOIVI1ENDATIONS OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF SAID CITY WITH REFERENCE THERETO; AND GRANTING PERMISSION TO SAID APPLICANT TO IN- STALL AND MAINTAIN A HELIPORT ON THE ROOF OF ONE OF SAID APPLICANT'S BUILDINGS IN SECTION 7, T3S, R14W WITHIN SAID CITY. WHEREAS, there was heretofore presented to the City Planning Commission of the City of El Segundo, California, the application of Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc. for an unclassified use permit under the provisions of Ordinance No. 434 (The Com- prehensive Zoning Ordinance) of said City contemplating the location, installation, maintenance, operation and use of a heliport on the roof of the company's new engineering building then under construction on a portion of applicant's property in Section 7, T3S, R14:W within said City; and WHEREAS, upon receipt of said application, the same was referred to the Planning Consultants on the Staff of said Com- mission for investigation and report; and WHEREAS, under date of June 14, 1954, the report of said Planning Consultants was .rendered to said Commission in words and figures as follows: "STAFF REPORT The above identified matter was referred to our off:_ce for investigation and report. The investigation has been made and the following report results. The investigation did not include further contact with Douglas Aircraft Com- pany, Inc., especially Mr. R. L. Skelton, Plant Engineer, who communicated originally with the City with reference - 1 - to the locating of this facility. This was not an over- sight. The elements involved in the issue are fundamental, and differ in no respect as they might pertain to the Douglas Aircraft Corporation or to any other agency that might desire to establish such a facility. The real ques- tion is whether or not the locating of a Heliport at the proposed site would be consistent with the policies and patterns established by the zoning ordinance of the City of El Segundo. The nature of a Heliport and the manner of their operation are known to the undersigned, and this knowledge has been supplemented by inquiry made of the Operational Officer of the Los Angeles International Air- port and from others. "The first question pertains to the status of a Heli- port under the terms of the zoning ordinance. It is not mentioned, as such. However, airports are mentioned as an unclassified use requiring review. A Heliport involves substantially the same considerations that relate to an airport except that each subject matter possesses minor importance as compared to their consideration in connection with a normal airport. "There is one additional consideration related to a Heliport that does not attach to an airport, and that is the fact that they require infinitely less area and, be- cause of the greater freedom of operation., permit a mul- tiplicity of locations and in the very midst of what would otherwise be intensively developed areas. All of these considerations result in the conclusion that the proper method of dealing with the subject is through review as an unclassified use in exactly the same manner that applies to an airport. That is beinz; done in this instance. "In the local metropolitan area, the two major instal- lations for heliport purposes are, on the International Airport itself, and on the roof of the Postal Department Building on Alameda Street, across Macy Street from the Union Terminal. 'The latter has been particularly and care- fully observed as representing the best example of the man- ner in which a heliport can relate to the use of other properties in the immediate vicinity. "In addition to the existing installations, it is sig- nificant to note that generally throughout the country there are extensive plans being made, some of which have already been consumated, for establishing heliports upon the roofs of major buildings in the very heart of the urban centers of certain cities. Typical of these are the prep- arations being made for the establishment of a service be- tween the International Airport and the Statler Hotel at 7th and Figuroa in Los Angeles. This service was originally intended to be inaugurated last October, but because of technological reasons initially and, later, due to the ab- sorption of flight equipment by the military agencies, that service has been delayed. "On the basis of all of these observations and consider- ations, it is the conclusion of this report that heliport facilities located in an industrial area may reasonably be classified in terms of zoning considerations as being less obnoxious by reason of noise, and less hazardous to the - 2 - and ixr� M1c: Y� public and to property than is the operation of gasoline or diesel trucks normally employed in connection with all industrial activities. "A second conclusion on the matter of the compatibili- ty of the operations of such a facility to commercial areas is that there is no element of nuisance from the standpoint of sound or hazard, or from the standpoint of physical operation, than is attendant - again in terms of trucks and other activities commonly present in major commercial areas. "As a consequence of these conclusions, it would seem reasonable for the City of E1 Segundo, by findings of the Planning Commission and concurrence by the City Council, to establish that as a matter of policy this, and any subse- quent installations of heliport facilities, could be au- thorized by an administrative act when the locations in- volved are situated anywhere in Sections 7 or 18. 'TIn addition to the considerations that normally re- late to interpreting the purpose of a zoning ordinance are certain operational considerations as they relate to the use of the facilities, in this case, not only of the Los Angeles International Airport but also the Hawthorne Munici- pal Airport. It would be sufficient in this respect if the action by the City of E1 Seg_undo would include the condition that the particular project conform in all respects to the operational controls established by any competent Federal authority and, as it pertains to El Segundo, that it be also subject to clearance of the operations office of the Los Angeles International Airport. The reason for the latter is that there is always present the axiomatic law of physics that two solids cannot occupy the same space at the same time and, in terms of the movement of aircraft, be they helicopters or otherwise, it is essential to assuring pub- lic safety that the movement of all craft in a given area shall be coordinated. By reference to the above mentioned authorities of any project this precaution will have been amply considered. "There is returned herewith the correspondence file sub- mitted to this office, the ground plot plan submitted by the Douglas Aircraft Company, and a set of maps showing; the flight patterns as relating to the International Airport, and on the first of which I have indicated the approximate location of the proposed heliport. "Respectfully submitted, /s/ Gordon `vihitnall GORDON WHITNALL, Consultant "GW:b n. WHEREAS, said Commission as required under the provisions of Articles 18 and 19 of said Ordinance No. 434 did duly and regularly notice and hold a public hearing on said. matter and - 3 - after due consideration and at its regular meeting; of June 28, 1954, did duly and regularly adopt the following resolution with reference to said :natter, to wit: "RESOLUTION NO. 189 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY PLANNING CON1.ISSION OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, RECO,'U1ENDING GRANTING PERMISSION TO DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO. INC., FOR INSTALLATION OF A HELIPORT IN SECTION 7, 'TWP 3S, R 14W, IN THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA "WHEREAS, formal inquiry was made by the Douglas Air- craft Company, Inc., concerning the authority to locate a heliport on the roof of one of the Corporation's build- ings in Section 7, and "WHEREAS, the Planning, Commission's Consultants, at the request of the Commission, made inquiry into the perti- nent factors, and "WHEREAS, such inquiry resulted in the filing of a written report under date of June 14, 1954, and signed by Gordon Whitnall. "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission, after reviewing the facts presented in said report, concurs in the findings that, in the face of the facts thus presented, the locating of such heliport as proposed would conform in every respect to the principal considerations of sound zoning both with reference to the type of zone in which it would be located and to the re- lationship of such installation to other installations in the immediate vicinity, and "FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission recommend to the City Council that the findings set forth in said Con- sultant's report, which is attached hereto and by reference made a part hereof, constitute a formal statement of in- terpretation in this and other matters involving the lo- cation of heliport installations, and "FURTHER RESOLVED, that the policy of the City with reference to locating heliports be based upon the primary consideration that a heliport should, as in the case of airports, be made subject to review in each instance and that whatever decision be made with reference to a particu- lar location there always be imposed the condition that an installation at any location be subject to the review and approval of the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and "FINIALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration in the manner prescribed by law. "Passed, approved and adopted this 28th day of June, 1954. " ,s/ George E. Binder r' _Is/ L. A. Allen Secretary of the City Planning Cnairman of the City Commission of the City of Planning Commission of El Segundo, California the City of El Segundo, California "; and - 4 - 44HEREAS, upon receipt of said above quoted Resolution Ido. 189 of said Commission, said City Council did duly and regularly notice and hold a public hearing on said matter before said City Council on the 4th day of August, 1954, and after said hearing and due and careful consideration of said matter did reach its decision to rlrant said unclassified use permit as recommended by said Commission in its said above quoted Resolu- tion Ido. 1$9 and did instruct the City Attorney to prepare and present to the Council the necessary formal proceeding to ac- complish such decision; and WHEREAS, the City Attorney, responsive to said instruc- tion and the provisions of said Ordinance No. 434, has presented this formal resolution to said Council in the premises; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL SE- GUNDO, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERTUNE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Said City Council does hereby find that the facts recited in the preamble of this resolution and in the Staff Report of the Planning Consultants, hereinabove quoted in said preamble, are true. SECTION 2. That said City Council does hereby concur in the findings and recommendations with reference to said '_heliport and the location, installation, maintenance, operation and use thereof at the said particular location as set forth, contained and referred to in said Resolution No. 189 of said City Planning Commission hereinabove quoted in the preamble to this resolution. SECTION 3. That said City Council does hereby recite the same facts and reasons for the approval of said application for said unclassified use permit as are hereinabove set forth in said Staff Report of said Gordon Whitnall, Planning Consultant, and in said Resolution No. 189 of said City Planning Commission - 5 - hereinabove quoted and does hereby refer to the same as herein- above set forth and does hereby make them a part of this Section. 3 of this resolution for all intents and purposes as though the same were fully set forth at length herein. SECTION 4. That in view and consideration of the fore- going facts, findings and determinations and subject to the re- view and approval of the Civil Aeronautics Administration of the United States of America, said City Council does hereby grant to said Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc. an unclassified use permit to locate, install, maintain, operate and use on the roof of the engineerinv buildinc; of said Dou,71as Aircraft Co., Inc. above referred to, and which is located in Section 7, T3S, R14W within said City, the heliport hereinabove referred to for the landing, accommodation and taking off of helicopters in the manner and to the extent as is usual and customary in the case of such heli- ports. SECTION 5. ''hat this resolution shall take effect im- mediately. SECTION 6. That pursuant to the provisions of Section 1814 of Article 18 of said Ordinance No. 434, the City Clerk is hereby instructed to forward one certified copy of this resolu- tion to said applicant at the address shown upon its application and to attach one certified copy thereof to the complete file of said Planning Commission in said matter and to thereupon return said complete file to said Planning Commission for permanent filing. SECTION 7. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passa;e and adoption of this resolution; shall enter the same in the book of original resolutions of said City; and shall make a minute of the passage and adoption thereof in the records of - 6 - the proceedings of the City Council, of said City, in the minutes of the meeting at which the same is passed and adopted. Passed, approved and adopted this 11th day of August, 1954. ATTEST: NEVA H. ELSEY Cit Clerk By /,— Deputy (SEAL) STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, ) SS. CITY OF EL SEGUNDO. ) Mayor of the City o. egundo, Califori I, Neva N. Elsey, City Clerk of the City of E1 Segundo, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of members Of the City Council of the said City is five; that the foregoing resolution, being Resolution No. IA24._ , was passed and adopted by the said City Council, approved a signed by the Mayor of said City, and attested by the City Clerk of said City, all at a regu- lar meeting of the said Council held on the 11th day of August, 1954, and that the same was so passed and adopted by the follow- ing -vote: AYES: Councilmen Baker. Gordon and Mayor Selby: NOES: Councilmen None; ABSENT: Councilmen Frederick and Swanson. WITNESS my hand and the official seal of said City this 11th day of August, 1954. NEVA M. ELSEY City Clerk of the City of El Segundo, Califoia. By Deputy eputy - 7 -