COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

 

TO:                      Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

                

FROM:               Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                              Councilmember Jack Evans

                              Councilmember Vincent C. Gray

                                                           

DATE:                May 31, 2018

 

 

This is to request that the following measures be placed on the agenda for the June 5, 2018 Legislative Meeting:

 

• Helicopter Landing Pad Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2018
• Helicopter Landing Pad Emergency Amendment Act of 2018

 

The purpose of the emergency legislation is to amend the Helicopter Landing Pad Public Nuisance Act of 1987 (1987 Act) to allow a hospital that is certified as a Level One Trauma Center to construct a helicopter landing pad.  Under current law, it is considered a public nuisance to operate a helipad that was not in operation prior to July 14, 1987 in any area zoned residential. 

 

It has been more than 30 years since the Council approved the 1987 Act.  Since 1987 George Washington University Hospital (GW Hospital) has been rebuilt, received its certification as a Level One Trauma Center, and has been certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.  However, GW hospital is prohibited from constructing a helipad pursuant to the 1987 Act.  This prohibition has limited District residents’ access to life-saving care by medivac. 

 

In response, the Council has given initial approval to the Helicopter Landing Pad Amendment Act of 2018 (Bill 22-579).  Bill 22-579 is scheduled to have its second and final reading before the Council on June 5, 2018.  The emergency legislation will mirror Bill 22-579. 

 

This emergency legislation is necessary on an emergency basis because, even though GW Hospital has been given initial approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate a helipad, the helipad must be fully constructed and ready for inspection by the FAA by June 13, 2019 to get final approval.  As time is of the essence, and the permanent bill most likely not becoming effective until the fall, emergency legislation will allow the construction of the helipad at GW Hospital to commence as soon as possible.

 

               Draft