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Lancaster supervisors move private heliports out of residential zoning after neighbor complaints
Summary
Following neighbor complaints, the board voted unanimously Dec. 11 to amend zoning language so private heliports are no longer a permitted use in residential R‑1 and would be allowed only in the county's A‑2 zoning by special exception, after Planning Commission review and a 7–0 recommendation.
The Lancaster County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 11 to change county zoning definitions so private heliports are no longer a permitted use in the residential general district (R‑1) and instead would only be allowed by special exception in rural A‑2 zoning.
Planning presenter Miss Hall said the Planning Commission voted 7–0 to recommend the amendment after community members raised concerns about commercial helicopter operations on residential property. Staff included a brief history of the heliport request, a notice of violation concerning a commercial operation, and one public comment from Sally Oken plus 13 neighbor complaints that raised noise, safety, wildlife and quality‑of‑life concerns.
Under the proposed change, Miss Hall said private heliports would be removed from Article 5 permissibility and would require a special exception in A‑2 zoning. A board member moved to accept the proposed amendments; the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
The board packet includes the historical materials and the code research Miss Hall noted. The board did not specify a timetable at the meeting for permitting, enforcement steps or appeals related to existing heliport operations.
