Item 7 - Narrative & Review Responsekimley-horn.com 13455 Noel Road, Two Galleria Office Tower, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75240 972-770-1300
February 3, 2025
City of Southlake
1400 Main Street, Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
RE: Methodist Southlake Medical Center – ZA25-0004 - Site Plan Submittal Narrative
Dear Wayne Powell,
Methodist Southlake Medical Center is submitting a Site Plan request to create a paved helipad
on the existing hospital campus. Helipads are a permitted accessory use per the existing
zoning for the property. Currently, the hospital conducts emergency patient evacuations via
helicopter from the campus for patients who are in urgent need of care in other facilities. The
hospital does not conduct helicopter operations to bring patients to the facility. The current
function is not anticipated to change, and the number of helicopter trips are not planned to
increase as a result of adding the paved helipad.
Currently, helicopters arrive and depart from an unimproved grass surface on site which creates
challenges operationally and enhanced risk for all involved in the procedure, including staff and
patients. The top priority for the hospital is enhancing patient care and the addition of a helipad
will help the hospital achieve their goal by providing a safer and all-around better patient
experience during a critical function that will continue to occur on the campus.
Sincerely,
Jamie Ploetzner, P.E.
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
kimley-horn.com 13455 Noel Road, Two Galleria Office Tower, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75240 972-770-1300
February 3, 2025
City of Southlake
1400 Main Street, Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
RE: Methodist Southlake Medical Center – ZA25-0004 – Comment Response
Dear Wayne Powell,
Please find the attached responses to the city comments provided on our first site plan submittal
package:
1. Provide a written narrative describing the request.
Narrative provided with resubmittal.
2. Specify fence and finish color.
Proposed fence is to be 4’ black wrought iron. Label added to the plans.
3. Provide an application fee payment in the amount of $ 453.05.
Fee has been paid.
4. Place the City case number “ZA25-0004" in the lower right corner for ease of reference.
Case number added to all sheets.
5. Show any intended lighting. All lighting must comply with the Lighting Ordinance No. 693, as
amended with regard to type of lighting, intensity, glare and spill-over.
Proposed lighting for helipad is minor and includes the following which are shown on the plans:
·In pavement helipad lights
·Lighting for wind cone
·Lighting on corners of the fence
·Red obstruction lighting on the building
No additional largescale lighting such as additional pole-mounted lighting is planned.
6. The design of the helistop, including all the aeronautical components, shall be in accordance
with NFPA 418 and FAA AC 150/5390-2D, Heliport Design Advisory Circular, or equivalent
criteria.
Acknowledged.
kimley-horn.com 13455 Noel Road, Two Galleria Office Tower, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75240 972-770-1300
7. No smoking shall be permitted within 50 ft (15.2 m) of the landing pad edge. NO SMOKING
signs shall be erected at access/egress points.
Acknowledged. No smoking signs labeled on the plans at both access/egress points.
8. Fences shall not prevent access by firefighting/rescue personnel. At least two means of
egress that lead to a public way shall be provided from the landing pad.
6.8* Means of Egress. At least two means of egress that lead to a public way shall be
provided from the landing pad.
6.8.1* The egress points shall be located at least 90 degrees from each other as
measured from the center of the landing pad (TLOF).
6.8.2 The egress points shall be located remotely from each other, not less than 30 ft
(9.1 m) apart.
6.8.3 No two egress points shall be located on the same side of the landing pad.
Additionally, egress that leads to a public way would typically be required to align with
Chapter 10 of the IFC, which would necessitate a walkway or sidewalk.
Second gate and paved egress path from the landing pad to the fire lane has been added to the
design, 90 degress from the original path, more than 30 feet apart, and on separate sides of the
landing pad.
Sincerely,
Jamie Ploetzner, P.E.
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.