How will Bellevue react to downtown helicopters?

Editor's note: The date of the noise test has been corrected as May 2.

A second noise study to determine the effects of helicopter landings atop downtown Bellevue's Bank of America building will take place May 2 at 3 p.m.

Observers can watch and listen to the sound test from various locations along the flight path, which includes I-405 and Northeast Eighth Street.

Kemper Development has asked the city for a conditional-use permit to operate a private helipad at the landing site.

The company is asking for a maximum of 40 landings per month between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., with the expected flight pattern being over I-405, I-90, Highway 520, and Northeast Eighth Street.

A public meeting will take place to discuss the proposed helipad at 6 p.m., May 5 at Bellevue City Hall (450 110th Avenue Northeast).

Residents so far have had mixed reactions and concerns when it comes to the idea of choppers flying to the Bank of America building, located near Bellevue Square.

Some say it would be a natural addition to Bellevue's rapidly developing downtown, while others suggest it would cause unwanted racket.

Netty Knutsen, who lives in the Woodridge neighborhood, says helicopters frequently disturb her by straying from their designated flight paths, claiming that news choppers fly by her home every day when they're supposed to be traveling above I-405 and I-90.

For additional information about the helipad permit, view the city of Bellevue's weekly permit bulletin for April 16, 2009.

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