'Sea-Tac Center, Sikorsky One-Juliet-Charlie Requests Vectors To KGOD...'

The city of Federal Way, WA has approved the application of a mega-church to add a small helipad in a residential neighborhood.

Pastors Casey and Wendy Treat of Christian Faith Center will now have the option to shuttle by air between the 15-month-old Federal Way facility, and its Everett campus.

The Tacoma News-Tribune reports city hearing examiner Phil Olbrechts granted the 'helistop'... contingent on no more than four landings or takeoffs per week, no flying over adjacent residences, and no takeoffs or landings after 10:00 pm. His approval is final if nobody who spoke at the public hearing files an appeal.

Several NIMBYs are upset about the prospect of helicopters operating in the already-noisy neighborhood, which sits next to Interstate 5. But that very freeway noise may work against them. Olbrechts said a noise study concluded the helistop would result in "no measurable increase in noise."

Neighbor Elizabeth Kari says she's considering an appeal. A total of seven people are eligible. But filing an appeal in Federal Way costs $171.50. So far, none of the neighbors has pulled out a wallet.

Maybe if they passed a plate?

FMI: www.caseytreat.com