College Station’s Mayor Sends A Letter To The FAA Asking To Delay Amazon Drone’s Request To Increase Service

Photos from and near the April 20, 2024 Amazon drone delivery service open house.
Photos from and near the April 20, 2024 Amazon drone delivery service open house.

College Station’s mayor sends a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration forwarding the city council’s position on Amazon’s request to expand its drone delivery service.

The letter from John Nichols asks the FAA to delay Amazon’s request until noise is reduced.

The mayor’s letter cites what he describes as “concerns” from surrounding homeowners.

Nichols also says Amazon’s request to increase the number of drone flights and expand the number of hours and days that drones operate could exceed what is allowed under College Station’s current zoning of suburban commercial.

The mayor’s letter says the council supports Amazon’s request to use a new drone that Amazon says is 40 percent quieter and will allow deliveries to be made farther away.

The letter, obtained by WTAW News through an open records request, was sent to the FAA on July 11.

Public comments to Amazon’s application to the FAA ended July 12.

The letter was composed following direction by the city council during its meeting on June 27.

Click below to hear comments during the June 27, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Speakers include city manager Bryan Woods and city attorney Adam Falco.

Listen to “Comments from College Station's city manager and city attorney about Amazon's application to expand drone delivery service” on Spreaker.

Screen shot of the letter College Station mayor John Nichols sent to the FAA regarding Amazon drone's request to increase service at its College Station location.
Screen shot of the letter College Station mayor John Nichols sent to the FAA regarding Amazon drone’s request to increase service at its College Station location.

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