Homeowners in the neighborhood near College Station’s Amazon drone delivery operation are told the company is looking for a new location. That’s according to a summary that WTAW News received of a virtual meeting that Amazon recently held with neighbors who have been impacted by drone noise. The homeowners were told that Amazon is willing to put in writing, their decision to not renew the lease at its current location after it expires September 30, 2025. Amazon is also willing to put in writing, according to the homeowners, that there is now a limit of four drone operations per hour. College Station’s chief development officer Michael Ostrowski sent a statement to WTAW News that says in part that “with respect to a new location, the City will work with Prime Air on potential options, but at this time, no specific location has been determined.” The only confirmation from an Amazon spokesman to WTAW News is that the number of operations is being limited. Quoting from a summary of the meeting with Amazon and homeowners neighboring Amazon’s drone delivery site in College Station: Attended by Sarah Rith (Amazon) but perhaps more importantly, by Matt McCardle, who is Head of Global Regulatory Affairs and Strategy, Amazon Prime Air. Also in attendance was Michael Ostrowski, City of CS Chief Development Officer. McCardle did most of the talking with respect to responding to our questions about the future plans and what might happen to the current PADCC site. The lease on that site runs through September 30, 2025. McCardle said Amazon WILL NOT renew that lease. He said that they will not operate out of that site after September 30, 2025. To address the concerns of residents, the current PADCC will be limited to 4 operations per hour. That is the entire site, not per drone. So, we should see no more than 4 operations per hour effective immediately. If and when they deploy the new MK-30 drone (late this year is planned), they will stick to the 4 operations per hour site operation limit. Amazon is working with city staff to find a new location. No more information was revealed. Amazon are willing to put all this in writing. Statement from city of College Station chief development officer Michael Ostrowski: Prime Air held a virtual meeting with representatives of neighborhoods near their facility in College Station. The intent of the meeting was for Prime Air to provide updates on their operations, answer questions, and to take feedback. In terms of the items that are listed below (a reference to the summary of the meeting from the homeowners group), I would concur that is an accurate summation of the meeting. As the City, we strive to work with our partners in industry and citizens to make sure that the developments within the city are successful and provide a positive impact. We have also been, and continue to be, a place that fosters innovation. With this, community feedback and adjustments are a critical part of that process. With respect to a new location, the City will work with Prime Air on potential options, but at this time, no specific location has been determined. Statement from Amazon spokesman Sam Stephenson: We take local feedback into account wherever possible when making operational decisions for Prime Air. As our program evolves, we’re considering a variety of potential paths forward – including the possibility of alternate sites. To address the concerns of residents, the current PADCC will be limited to 4 operations per hour. That is the entire site, not per drone. So, we should see no more than 4 operations per hour effective immediately. If and when they deploy the new MK-30 drone (late this year is planned), they will stick to the 4 operations per hour site operation limit. It is not “if/when”—we will deploy the MK30 to this site and we’ll operate it in the same manner we do the MK27 today.
