Around 25 people attended a public meeting Tuesday to discuss a second sound test that took place May 2 to determine the effect of helicopter traffic downtown.

Kemper Development commissioned the analysis after applying for a permit to operate a private helistop atop the Bank of America Building. The request is for a maximum of 40 landings per month between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Kemper representatives presented findings from the sound study at the Tuesday meeting.

“The results mirrored very closely what they had previously,” said city of Bellevue Planning Manager Elizabeth Stead.

Noise measurements taken near Bellevue Square during the initial test showed that decibel levels would increase by up to 63 percent due to helicopter traffic, but engineers have noted that this would not be enough to interfere with speech.

The second trial took place after residents complained that there wasn’t ample notice of the first.

Residents have expressed mixed opinions about the potential helistop. Some say it’s a non-issue in a growing urban city like Bellevue. Others don’t want to deal with the disruptions of big-city helicopter traffic.

Beverly Wakeland lives at the Newport Marina condominium complex near Southeast Eighth Street. She says the helicopter that flew in for the test Saturday was too noisy for her liking.

“I thought it was landing on our roof,” she said. “I’m aggravated about this. It’s going to de-value our property.”

Betty Davis, who lives on 102nd Avenue Northeast, said she doesn’t think the limit of 40 landings per month would last long.

“It’ll be more eventually,” she said. “Bellevue is such a lovely city because of Kemper Freeman, but I’d hate to see it go much further (with urbanization).”

The city will present a report on the permit application at a meeting with the hearing examiner on June 10, during which time the public can provide comments.

A second public meeting will take place the following day if necessary, and the hearing examiner is expected to make a ruling 10 days after the final discussion.

The decision can be appealed to City Council.

Joshua Adam Hicks can be reached at 425.453.4290.