After Dog Dies, Residents Want Ban on Hot Air Balloon Landings

A group of residents are petitioning the local government to regulate hot air balloon landings in the Doylestown Township.

More than 200 people have signed an online petition asking Doylestown Township to prohibit hot air balloon landings in the municipality. The Board of Supervisors has asked the Planning Commission to review the issue; it is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

Supervisor Rick Colello, who is the liaison to the Planning Commission, said the issue came up after a resident’s dog, startled by a low-flying hot air balloon, ran away and was killed by a car.

“Every resident suggestion is evaluated, so the Board of Supervisors by consensus sent the request to the Township Planning Commission to get the Planning Commission's opinion,” Colello said.

According to the online petition, the incident happened in October.

“On October 26, 2012 around 5:30 p.m. a hot air balloon operated by The United States Hot Air Balloon Team flew extremely low over residential homes while approaching its landing in the Doylestown Commerce Center area, brushing the tops of trees and scaring pets and people. Two dogs escaped through their fences out into the street to flee the oncoming balloon, one of those dogs was struck and killed by a car,” according to the online petition, started by Jennifer Mertens.

“The area is congested with very little open space for balloon landings and they should not be allowed. By prohibiting them from landing in the township, they will not be allowed to fly under 1,000 feet in altitude according to FAA regulations,” the petition says.

The residents who signed the petition say they aren’t trying to stop air ballooning in Bucks County but rather, “we want to prevent property damage, injuries or fatalities in our community due to their low flights and landings,” according to the petition. 

The Planning Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Doylestown Township Municipal Building, 425 Wells Road.