City of College Station, TX
07/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/15/2024 10:46
Mayor submits letter to FAA regarding Amazon Prime Air's expanded drone deliveries
On July 11, Mayor John Nichols submitted a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration, on behalf of the College Station City Council, regarding Amazon Prime Air's request to expand its drone delivery service in College Station:
July 11, 2024
Via Electronic Submission
Federal Aviation Administration, Suite 802W
C/O AVS Environmental
800 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20591
[email protected]
Re: Prime Air College Station Draft EA
On behalf of the City Council of College Station (City), I am providing comments regarding Amazon.com Services LLC, doing business as Amazon Prime Air (Amazon Prime Air) Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) for expanding their commercial drone package delivery services at their Prime Air Drone Delivery Center (PADDC) in College Station, Texas.
The City is excited to have Amazon Prime Air located in our community. Being home to the only drone delivery service for Amazon in the country is noteworthy. The City is thankful that Amazon Prime Air chose College Station, a community that has and continues to embrace innovation and technology.
While the City is supportive of Amazon Prime Air's efforts, we do not support their request in its entirety. Since locating in College Station, residents in neighborhoods adjacent to Amazon Prime Air's facility have expressed concern to the City Council regarding drone noise levels, particularly during take-off and landing, as well as in some delivery operations. With the potential to increase the frequency of drone deliveries to the amount stated in Amazon Prime Air's request, residents have continued to voice their concerns to City Council that the noise levels will only get worse and will impact the enjoyment of their property. Due to the level of concern from residents, the City would ask to delay the increase in service levels relating to the number of deliveries, as well as the expanded operation days and hours, until additional noise mitigation efforts are implemented by Amazon Prime Air. In addition, the current zoning on the property has a base of Suburban Commercial, which is intended to provide for limited commercial uses that are compatible with nearby neighborhoods. The increase in their proposed service levels could exceed the intent of said zoning district.
With respect to Amazon Prime Air's request for bringing the new MK30 drone into service, our understanding is that this new drone will be 40% quieter than the current drone and will allow Amazon Prime Air to deliver packages further than their current drone. The City is supportive of Amazon Prime Air's request for the new quieter drone. If the MK30 drone is quieter, it should have a positive effect on the current noise levels.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments. If you should need any further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
John P. Nichols
Mayor
City of College Station, Texas
[email protected]
979-218-9351 (Mobile)
-30-
July 11, 2024
Via Electronic Submission
Federal Aviation Administration, Suite 802W
C/O AVS Environmental
800 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20591
[email protected]
Re: Prime Air College Station Draft EA
On behalf of the City Council of College Station (City), I am providing comments regarding Amazon.com Services LLC, doing business as Amazon Prime Air (Amazon Prime Air) Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) for expanding their commercial drone package delivery services at their Prime Air Drone Delivery Center (PADDC) in College Station, Texas.
The City is excited to have Amazon Prime Air located in our community. Being home to the only drone delivery service for Amazon in the country is noteworthy. The City is thankful that Amazon Prime Air chose College Station, a community that has and continues to embrace innovation and technology.
While the City is supportive of Amazon Prime Air's efforts, we do not support their request in its entirety. Since locating in College Station, residents in neighborhoods adjacent to Amazon Prime Air's facility have expressed concern to the City Council regarding drone noise levels, particularly during take-off and landing, as well as in some delivery operations. With the potential to increase the frequency of drone deliveries to the amount stated in Amazon Prime Air's request, residents have continued to voice their concerns to City Council that the noise levels will only get worse and will impact the enjoyment of their property. Due to the level of concern from residents, the City would ask to delay the increase in service levels relating to the number of deliveries, as well as the expanded operation days and hours, until additional noise mitigation efforts are implemented by Amazon Prime Air. In addition, the current zoning on the property has a base of Suburban Commercial, which is intended to provide for limited commercial uses that are compatible with nearby neighborhoods. The increase in their proposed service levels could exceed the intent of said zoning district.
With respect to Amazon Prime Air's request for bringing the new MK30 drone into service, our understanding is that this new drone will be 40% quieter than the current drone and will allow Amazon Prime Air to deliver packages further than their current drone. The City is supportive of Amazon Prime Air's request for the new quieter drone. If the MK30 drone is quieter, it should have a positive effect on the current noise levels.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments. If you should need any further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
John P. Nichols
Mayor
City of College Station, Texas
[email protected]
979-218-9351 (Mobile)
-30-