Airport Noise Overlay District Standard Modifications

The Airport Noise Overlay District in the City of Kissimmee serves as a supplemental regulatory layer that primarily modifies the base zoning by prohibiting high-sensitivity land uses, such as indoor recreation facilities, in specific areas affected by aviation noise. Under the City of Kissimmee Land Development Code, any use identified with this overlay restriction is only permitted if the subject property is located outside the physical boundaries of the Airport Noise Overlay District [Table 5-1; Table 4-2].

Land Use Modifications and Prohibitions

The primary method by which the Airport Noise Overlay District modifies base zoning standards in the City of Kissimmee is through the restriction of specific "Permitted" or "Conditional" uses. In the base districts or transect zones where these uses would normally be allowed, the overlay adds a requirement that the use is "Only allowed outside the Airport Noise Overlay District" [Footnote 10, Table 4-2 and Table 5-1].

Based on the City of Kissimmee Schedule of Uses, the following modifications apply:

Base Zoning District or Transect Zone	Affected Land Use	Modification by Airport Noise Overlay District
T6 Waterfront (Transect Zone)	Recreation, indoor (private)	Prohibited if the property is within the Overlay District; otherwise Permitted [Table 5-1].
AI Airport Industrial (Non-Residential District)	Recreation facilities, indoor	Prohibited if the property is within the Overlay District; otherwise Permitted [Table 4-2].

Relationship to Airport Operations and Hazard Districts

While the Airport Noise Overlay District specifically addresses noise-sensitive uses, the City of Kissimmee Land Development Code also implements other airport-related overlays that modify base standards regarding height and safety:

Height Restrictions

All base zoning districts and planned unit developments within the City of Kissimmee are subject to the height limitations of the Airport Hazard District. Regardless of the maximum height permitted by the base district (such as the 80-foot allowance in the T5-U zone), all structures must meet the applicable standards specified in Chapter 8 of the Code and requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) [Section 14-4-6.A.4.e].

Signage and Lighting Standards

Properties located in the Airport Operations (AO) and Airport Industrial (AI) districts are subject to stricter signage and illumination standards to prevent interference with airport navigation:

Glare Control: All lighted signs must be designed and located to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon any adjacent runway or taxiway [Section 14-11-7.A.3].
Wall Sign Limits: In the AO District, wall signs are limited to a maximum copy area of one foot per linear foot of building frontage, and no more than two sides of a building may contain such signs [Section 14-11-7.A.1].

Administrative Compliance

In the City of Kissimmee, the Director and the Development Review Committee (DRC) are responsible for ensuring that any application for a development permit, site plan, or subdivision complies with the restrictions of the Airport Noise Overlay District. This verification typically occurs during the site plan review process to confirm that proposed uses are compatible with the noise contours defined by the overlay [Section 14-3-31.E; Section 14-3-3.A].

Sections Cited