The St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children, each have helipads that provide vital critical and trauma care service to the City of Toronto and surrounding areas. The protection of the flight paths for these helipads from intrusions caused by development is necessary to ensure their continued and effective operation.
On December 5, 2017, pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 5.81 of the Aeronautics Act (Canada), City Council enacted by-law 1432-2017 to regulate the use of lands in the vicinity of St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. By-laws made by a municipality under an agreement entered into under section 5.8.1 of the Aeronautics Act (Canada) are applicable law for the purposes of issuing a building permit. This means that a building permit will not be issued for a development within lands within the vicinity of St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children unless the development complies with by-law 1432-2017 (and other applicable law).
Demonstrating Compliance with by-law 1432-2017
The following are the minimum submission requirements to demonstrate compliance with by-law 1432-2017.
- A report prepared by an Aeronautical expert which shall include:
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- A list of the drawings that were reviewed in preparation of the report. The drawings reviewed must include, at a minimum, the following plans prepared in consultation with and certified by an Ontario Land Surveyor: a roof plan; elevation drawings; and, section drawings. Those drawings must accurately portray the building and any objects to be erected or located on the building, including those that might be used in the course of constructing the building, such as cranes, in relation to the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces.
- An overlay map showing where the building is in relation to the flight path;
- A review of the construction methodology including crane swings and analysis and confirmation that that crane will not breach the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces;
- Where a crane is not proposed for the construction of upper storeys of the building due to proximity to the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces, confirmation of alternative construction method must be provided;
- Confirmation that maintenance and use of the building including any equipment to be used for maintenance of the building (i.e. window washing equipment, lighting, etc) may be undertaken without breaching the OLS;
- Acknowledgement and confirmation that any structures or naturally growing objects on the building will not penetrate the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces, including but not limited to the following: mechanical equipment; green roof elements; antennae; lightning rods; navigational lighting; and; davit arms;
- Qualitative commentary in the report to confirm that the construction, built form, and long term use of the building will not breach the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces; and,
- An acknowledgement that if the confirmations provided in the report prove to be untrue, Toronto Building may revoke any permit that was issued in reliance upon the report.
