File #: Int 1255-2023    Version: * Name: Monitoring helicopter noise.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency and Waterfronts
On agenda: 12/6/2023
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to monitoring helicopter noise
Sponsors: Amanda Farías, Shahana K. Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler
Council Member Sponsors: 4
Summary: This bill would require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to identify the areas of the city that commonly experience helicopter noise and install sound level meters in those areas on top of city buildings, street lights and, upon request of the owner, private buildings. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection would also be required to reassess the identified areas every 2 years. The data collected by the sound level meters would be reported on the Department of Environmental Protection’s website monthly.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1255, 2. Int. No. 1255, 3. December 6, 2023 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 12-6-23, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - December 6, 2023

Int. No. 1255

 

By Council Members Farías, Hanif, Hudson and Restler

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to monitoring helicopter noise

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subchapter 2 of chapter 2 of title 24 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 24-217.2 to read as follows:

§ 24-217.2 Monitoring helicopter noise. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the term “city building” means a building or structure that is (i) owned or leased by the city; and (ii) managed or operated by the city.

b. The commissioner shall identify areas of the city that commonly experience noise due to helicopters. Such identification shall be based on frequently used helicopter flight paths, helicopter routes recommended by the federal aviation administration, the locations of 311 helicopter noise complaints, and any other factors the commissioner deems appropriate. Within such areas, the commissioner shall:

1. Install a sound level meter of the roof of each city building;

2. In collaboration with the commissioner of transportation, install a sound level meter on the top of each street light; and

3. Install, free of charge, a sound level meter on the roof of any privately-owned building where the owner has requested such installation.

c. No less frequently than once every 2 years, the commissioner shall reassess the areas identified pursuant to subdivision b of this section and identify any new areas that frequently experience helicopter noise.

d. The sound level meters required pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of subdivision b of this section shall be installed no later than 6 months after (i) the effective date of the local law that added this section and (ii) any date that the commissioner identifies a new area pursuant to subdivision c of this section.

e. No later than 1 year after the effective date of the local law that added this section, and every month thereafter, the department shall post on its website a report of the decibel levels detected by each sound level meter installed pursuant to subdivision b of this section. The report shall include a separate row for each unique meter reading, reported at intervals of no greater than 5 seconds for each sound level meter, and such row shall include the following information set forth in separate columns:

1.The date and time at which the meter reading occurred;

2. A unique identification code corresponding to the sound level meter;

3.The latitude and longitude at which the meter reading occurred;

4.The altitude above sea level at which the meter reading occurred, as determined by global positioning systems technology; and

5.The decibel level detected.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

KLF

LS #13626

9/18/23