Commission approves Walmart site plan change to allow Zipline drone delivery; adds masonry-fence design condition

The Red Oak Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 3 voted to recommend approval of a site-plan/zoning amendment to allow an accessory drone-delivery facility at the Walmart at 100 Ryan Drive.

City staff said the request would convert the store’s current PD designation (PD-41R4) to a revised PD (PD-41R5) to add an accessory drone-delivery use not currently defined in the city code. Ben, the city’s director of development services, explained the proposal covers a fenced, landscaped area on the grassy area adjacent to the store where Zipline towers and charging stations would be installed rather than occupying regular customer parking spaces.

Representatives from Walmart and Zipline described the proposed operation: Ryan Trimble, representing Walmart, said Red Oak was selected as part of a regional DFW rollout and framed the service as an on-demand convenience for customers. Juan Moreira, Walmart site representative, said the plan shows nine charging stations and one loading station in the landscaped area with no new utility easements and only an electrical connection back to the store. Stephanie Cook of Zipline described the technology: a larger aircraft (“Zip”) that flies at roughly 300 feet and lowers a smaller delivery pod (the “droid”) on a winch to a customer-selected location; Zipline said the pod can deliver within about a 3-foot radius and carries up to 8 pounds. Cook said the company conducts regulatory coordination with the FAA, operates a remote operations control center (ROCC) for monitoring, and has redundant safety systems including a parachute for emergency landings.

Zipline representatives addressed common concerns. They said typical delivered-noise levels are in the 53–64 dBA range for an aircraft at delivery altitude (figures cited for 300 feet and nearer dock operations), flight paths are randomized so the same house is not repeatedly exposed, and the systems employ sensors (FlightIQ) to avoid obstacles and preserve privacy (they said imagery is blurred and not used to read license plates).

Commissioners asked about operational hours, accuracy, weather resilience and safety backups. Zipline said initial operations would focus on daylight hours (an approximate 9 a.m.–6 p.m. window), begin with a smaller two-mile service radius expanding toward 10 miles at full scale, and operate with a ROCC and emergency procedures coordinated with first responders. Zipline and Walmart representatives said DFW is the company’s near-term focus and pointed to other U.S. pilot locations; Juan Moreira said the company is adding a DFW hub for maintenance and support.

Ben and commission members discussed the visual treatment around the towers. Commissioners suggested the fenced installation should match the masonry-and-ornamental-iron treatment at the opposite side of the building. The commission’s motion included a recommendation to council that the wrought-iron fence for the drone station include matching masonry pylons at the ends to tie into the existing masonry treatment. The item was approved with that recommendation and will be transmitted to council with the staff report. The meeting record also shows three letters of support were received and noted in the record (Doyle Elmore, Betty Franks, and a letter purporting to represent a homeowners association).

Ending: The approval allows Walmart and Zipline to proceed to the city council with the commission’s recommendation and the additional design comment; final operations will remain subject to FAA approvals, business permits, and any conditions the council may attach.