ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Residents in an Orange County neighborhood are fighting to stop helicopters tours from the Premium Outlets because of the noise it brings, WFTV learned on Tuesday.
Residents said the helicopters fly all day over the neighborhood, and now, the company wants to add more flights.
Resident John Dellinger said the humming of the helicopters is annoying.
"On busy holidays, weekends, you'll hear it because there are several operators. So, it's like one right after another," Dellinger said.
Dellinger lives in the Williamsburg neighborhood where residents have been complaining about the helicopter sightseeing tours flying over their homes.
One of those operators wants to add a bigger and louder chopper to take tourists to the space coast, WFTV found out.
"More noise, more disturbance. It's not right. It's not fair," Dellinger said.
The operator has turned in a zoning request to add another helipad to his International Drive business.
But WFTV learned the Heli-Tours haven't been following the rules.
As part of zoning agreements with the county, the helicopters are only supposed to fly over the Interstate 4 and International Drive corridors.
"Occasionally, a few of them will go over the neighborhoods of Williamsburg, so that's when we start getting the calls and the noise issues," said Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd.
But Boyd said there's nothing the county can do once a zoning request is approved and the helicopters don't follow the guidelines. That's why he wants to hear from residents before the commission makes a decision on the latest request.
Dellinger said he's in favor of some peace and quiet.
"They are making a profit, so they should be considerate of those of us who live here and have to deal with it everyday," said Dellinger.
The commission will consider the Heli-Tour operator's request at its meeting on Tuesday.
WFTV
