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2. Heliports <br />The region now has no freestanding public heliport facility. Projected levels of helicopter <br />operations in the region are such that planned public facilities must be considered. <br />Currently, varying services are provided at airports where helicopters are based. Public <br />heliports are defined as facilities for helicopter operations without prior authorization <br />from the operator. Heliports may be owned and operated by the public or private sectors. <br />The development of private helicopter landing facilities is expected to continue to serve <br />helicopter base -operations and corporate or privately owned helicopters. These facilities <br />are for the exclusive use of their operator and not available to others without prior <br />authorization. <br />Eighteen of the 21 civilian -use helicopters in the region are based at public airports, three <br />at private heliports. Sixteen helicopter landing facilities in the region are privately owned <br />and used predominantly for providing emergency medical service. Most of these consist of <br />a single landing pad. The locations of landing facilities and civilian -based helicopters are <br />shown in Figure 2. <br />Helicopter services are expected to grow at a moderate rate in the region, with most of <br />the growth due to business users. Some concentration of future demand is projected to <br />occur in the Minneapolis and St. Paul downtowns and along the I-494 corridor, but most <br />of the activity will be distributed throughout the region. Helicopter operators have <br />indicated that the major problem is the need for heliports that provide refueling services, <br />adequate ground transportation access and maintenance facilities. <br />Regarding helicopter landing facilities, the city should: <br />o Use the Council's Model Heliport Ordinance to assist it in responding to heliport <br />proposals and provide a basis for appropriate land use controls. <br />o Prepare a heliport development plan for any proposed heliport. Specific <br />guidelines are listed in the Public Heliport Facility System Plan within the Aviation <br />Development Guide/Policy Plan. <br />C. Forecasts <br />New forecasts for air carrier and regional commuter service based on the 1989 Annual <br />Contingency Planning report are shown in Appendix B: New Baseline Forecasts. <br />Forecasts for general aviation are to be updated in 1990 based upon completion of the <br />Regional Reliever Airport Study. <br />