Written by Charlie Conner’s Helicopter makes the Seattle Times. Click Here to see the story.
There is also a (non-scientific) poll with this story, where readers can give their opinion on this controversy. Right now, the results say 54 % would allow the helicopter, 41 % would be opposed, and the rest are not sure. (There have been about 1000 opinions recorded)
here we go again
Every time the subject of land use regulation comes up, it’s time for more heartbreaking cries of anguish from the property rights crowd. Just give Charlie what he wants, and spare us another parade of the Country Club set informing us lowly neighbors that we’re just jealous of their toys.
Re: here we go again
Every time the subject of land use regulation comes up, it’s time for more heartbreaking cries of anguish from the psudo individualists. Just give the majority what they want, and spare us another parade of the Ayn Rand set informing us lowly neighbors that we’re supposed to live in an unregulated wasteland.
(Although I’m leaning to wanting Charlie keep his chopper, you may swing me to the other side just to spite you)
Case Closed!
Rumor is….. Charlie’s going load up his Bell 500 megaphones and blast off over Mercer Island playing “Flight of the Valkyries”
We all could support that!
Re: Case Closed!
Good god, I forgot how depressing that movie is.
It ropes you in with the “Rah Rah” of war, then slams you with the desperation of it all.
I think I’ll go take some pills and become a hobo.
If you give copter Conner his helipad, that decision will be exactly what everyone expects. Far be it that the city will stand in the way of setting a bad example for public relations to keep Mr. Conner from getting what he wants. He builds far too many homes in this community to be treated any differently. I’ll say it hear, having the knowledge that Councilperson Palmer, having taking a free copter flight, has me doubting that I will ever vote for her again. She must have known what he was up to long before his application for a use permit arrived at city hall. She will not stand in the way of it now. If fact even if the hearing examiner denies the permit on appeal the council will over rule and give it to him anyway. This man has way to much clout to be denied. Even if the tally is 6 to 4 for every 10. The 4 will lose every time. I know for a fact your vote will be in favor. Don’t ask me how I know, I just know. Here is another example: Bob Bridge ask for and received a variance to install his dealership sign 10 feet over height. All he had to do was ask. I remember his appearance before council. How he employed 100 people and all the revenue he brought to the city and he had to stay competitive to keep these 100 people employed. Like he was going to fold if he didn’t get. I doubt that would have happened, but it worked. He walked out of council chamber with a variance in hand. I’m sure copter Conner would say the same things in front of the council, with the same outcome. Can’t wait for the darn thing to auger in to prove that copters are far to dangerous to have in densely populated neighborhoods.
Helicopter
At the end of the day, why is it necessary for Conner to land his helicopter at his home instead of at the nearby airport? If he only uses it 40 times a year, it’s even less inconvenient to just go to the airport to take off and land. This is silly to even be discussing this. The airport is the perfect place for housing Conner’s helicopter. If landing a helicopter in his backyard is so important, maybe he should have stayed at his former residence.
Re: Helicopter
Well, in that case, we better restrict all seaplanes to using only the runway at the airport for take off and landing. While we’re at it, we better put noise restrictions on all boats and watercraft on the lake. We should establish hours of time that boats can operate also. I guess nobody that lives on the waterfront should be allowed to moor their boats at their homes. They have a perfectly good boat launch at Gene Coulon, where the launch fee and parking is $16. The city would make a lot more revenue off of this idea. I have a better idea, this is America folks. Let him have his helicopter and keep it at his home. Quit whining. If you don’t like it, move somewhere else or get a set of ear plugs.
Re: Helicopter
Sweet zombie jesus!
I can’t figure out if you’re a shrill little old lazy with too many cats, or if you’re Carharts are on too tight after you got quick lime on them.
Either way… seek help!
Re: Helicopter
Looks like I made my point. That is how ridiculous all of you complainers look. You don’t want someone else to enjoy something you can’t have. Jealousy I say.
Petty
Personally, I’m embarrassed by the handful of people who’ve made this into Choppergate. The whole thing is just so… petty. Granted, it *is* unusual to see a helicopter in a residential setting, but it’s not as though Mr. Conner is landing it on the top of Renton Hill at 2 in the morning after the bars close. No, that would be my freaky neighbor (just substitute a loud Firebird burning rubber for the helicopter).
As the article mentioned, Mr. Conner flies the helicopter in an urban lakefront setting that is very much accustomed to noisy daytime activities — jet skis, obnoxious speedboats, low-flying piston aircraft, new 737s departing from the airport, and loud floatplanes landing in the lake. Not to mention freeway noise, passing Harleys, frolicking children, and morning traffic helicopters… and until recently, the Dinner Train and freight trains coming right through Kennydale.
There obviously need to be restrictions on when and how Mr. Conner can use the chopper, but as far as I know, there’s no evidence that he’s been anything but respectful of his neighbors.
As someone else suggested, the multiple cat-owning quotient of Mr. Conner’s detractors is probably pretty high. Perhaps he can win their support by promising to rescue their cats from trees and rooftops with his helicopter? Meow!
Kevin Poole
Re: Petty
Well said!
What I don’t like about the whole situation two fold:
1) The city was caught with it’s pants down. We need to develop where we’d like the city to be before people show up and jerk our chain. Weather that’s Skyway coming on board, McMansions being built or someone with a new toy.
2) Charlie is a *nice* guy with (as I understand it) a very quite copter that has been outfitted to be quiet. We do need regulations to keep the type of copter that Paul Allan would like to park at the new Seachicken training pen.
The point about SkiDoo’s vs copters is very good – one SkiDoo = 10 copters. Is there a limit to SkiDoo pelt’s or should I stick to under 20?
Re: Petty
SkiDoo pelts… good one!
I’d previously heard that Charlie was a really nice guy, and by chance I had the opportunity to chat with him recently, not knowing who he was (he was on his bike). He *was* genuinely personable and down-to-earth (pun intended), and it’s really hard to imagine him being anything but a great neighbor. Unfortunately, some people are just grumpy, petty, or jealous, and his success has made him a target of their ire. Good thing he has so much support from the vast majority of his neighbors.
To the person who implied some sort of conspiracy involving a helicopter ride and city council matters: your assumptions are completely wrong, and really disheartening to those who serve our city with honesty and transparency. It’s fine if you disagree with their decisions, but don’t beat them down by implying improprieties when none exist. Sometimes a helicopter ride is just a helicopter ride.
RE: Helicopter Ride
I agree. Please keep in mind that often city staffers or officials need firsthand exposure to the issue at hand in order to form a valid opinion. That includes ALL sides of the issue, even Charlie’s.
For instance, my sister used to be a legislative aide to a former Seattle City Councilwoman. She often met with constituents in order to experience their issue or see their “side.” As an example, she had a very memorable 2 hour evening walking a Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig around the block on Capitol Hill one night while a constituent was explaining the varied benefits of pig ownership and how everyone who came in contact with the pig had their life enriched. She stated that they basically stopped every two feet as the pig was extolled to passing curious strangers and neighbors. This was when Seattle was considering a “farm animal” ban and the pot bellied pig crew wanted their side to have a fair shot at an exception as a pet.
Regards,
Renton Business Owner
Re: Petty
Just because he may have support from his local neighbors, does that make it right for the entire city as a whole? Quite frankly, the laws aren’t written just for nice guys. This has turned out to be one of the major arguments. His neighbors don’t mind. What we are doing is saddling the one homeowner, who happens to object to a lifetime of noise greater than 95db’s within 300ft of their home, because some neighbors say it’s okay. Look, I can goggle earth every inch of Renton and never leave my house. It doesn’t cost me a dime. And as far as improprieties by a council member, that is perception. Right or wrong, the fact that they had knowledge of the impending issue before he approached the city to seek a land use permit, is all I need. I’m tired of do first and then ask for permission or forgiveness latter. That is arrogance. He stands a much better chance of forcing the the acceptance of his helicopter if he just does it first. Nobody wants Mr. Conner crying about it latter. Truly, I feel sorry for the homeowner who has to accept something that they could never have seen coming. Their property rights are not equal to his property rights and that’s what bothers me. I’d like to see the courts sort this out, rather some legislative body. Now it comes down to a hearing examiner and the council, who by the way, don’t even live there. Money or status has got nothing to do with this. Why other municipalities prohibit this and Renton is considering it, is beyond me.
Re: Petty
Someone told me that the current regulations allow for lakefront residents to land a seaplane in the lake and taxi it to their docks. I know I’ve seen that done in Seattle near Denny Blaine Park. If that’s true, I somehow think the massive noise of a piston-driven seaplane would far exceed that of a small turbine-powered helicopter.
Look, when you live in an urban environment, you should expect that unforeseen situations are going to arise with regard to noise, neighbors, construction, traffic, etc. Our homes aren’t enclosed in hermetically sealed bubbles. In the warmer months, there’s a constant parade of single-engine planes passing a couple of hundred feet over my house on approach to the airport. I certainly didn’t see that coming, since we bought the house in the dead of winter, when few people were out flying. The rental home next to me may someday be torn down to make room for a 3-story McMansion that blocks the sun, but as long as it’s built to code, I can’t do anything about it. Other neighbors’ Harleys are incredibly loud, but it’s their right to own and use them, and I’m sure as heck not going to complain about it. This *is* Renton, after all.
Some people just aren’t interested in compromise and would rather complain, regardless of the issue. We all know the type. Good luck to them when they need a helping hand from the neighbors they’ve maligned.
Helicopters
Local Kennydale helicopters would be an additional noise factor. It seems a reasonable solution is to have them based at Renton Airport and out of the neighborhood. Please vote “no” on this issue.
Carol McNeely