Bellevue Place Helipad Permit Gets Review: Today in Bellevue

There could be more helicopters landing in downtown Bellevue, as Kemper Development Company requests the city loosen a restriction on the types of helicopters that can land on Bellevue Place.

Public comments on the change are due Thursday, August 1. There will also be a meeting and a public presentation at Bellevue city hall Thursday at 6 p.m.

In 2011, the city approved a conditional permit for a helipad on Bellevue Place, which is at the corner of Northeast Eighth Street and Bellevue Way, with one of the conditions that only twin-engine helicopters can land on the helipad atop the Bank of America Building.

Now Kemper Development Company says that the condition effectively bans helicopters, as there is only one dual-engine helicopter in the northwest that could potentially use the helistop, according to the city of Bellevue.

The company is asking the city to revise the permit to allow landings and take-offs of single-engine helicopters, which would increase the number of helicopters that could potentially use the helipad.

The approved downtown Bellevue helipad permit has other conditions: up to five landings-takeoffs per week and a maximum of four landings will be allowed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and one on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Helicopters also must adhere to a strict flight path on freeways and Northeast Eighth Street only; Kemper Development must document deviations in hours or frequency of operation; and the city has a right to modify or revoke the permit, according to the city of Bellevue.

The helipad was building 1988, and temporary permits have been issued for limited landings, according to the city.

Guest Opinion: Concerns Swirl Over Kemper's Downtown Helistop

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