Walworth County zoning staff demonstrate drone use, detail costs and limits

Walworth County zoning staff demonstrated a county-owned drone and described how the technology is used for site plan overlays, enforcement checks and public-works surveys, and told the Zoning Agency the county will pursue related software and hardware upgrades.

Staff said the drone is flown by a certified pilot for permitted county work, and showed examples including overlays for proposed solar arrays, gravel pits and a recent Tomala site review. Kate, a Zoning Department staff member, said the visuals help agency members and the public “see what you’re getting” when the county asks for technology funding.

Agency members were given a short video tour and an outdoor demonstration. Chris, the county’s certified drone pilot, described operational limits and precautions: “The transmission distance is, like, 3 miles, but stick within, like, a generally, a 40‑acre field,” he said, adding that pilots should maintain line of sight and often use a spotter. He also…