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Commission delays Amazon Prime Air drone port decision for further local outreach
Summary
The Zoning Commission heard a presentation from Amazon on a proposed Prime Air drone paddock at the SAT3 fulfillment campus. Commissioners discussed airspace, noise, data privacy and outreach. A motion for a brief continuance failed; after procedural votes the item will return for further coordination and community engagement.
Amazon representatives presented a plan on May 6 to add an on-site Prime Air paddock (drone delivery station) at the SAT3 fulfillment center in San Antonio. The proposal would add modular drone pads and an onsite operations/charging module in a parking area to support deliveries to customers within the drone’s operational range.
Amazon described the approved delivery aircraft (MK-30), which carries up to about 5 pounds, can travel up to roughly 7.5 miles, and performs a vertical descent to a customer-selected delivery point before returning to the paddock. Amazon said the drone is FAA-certified (Part 135) for the operations it seeks and that early deployments occur in other U.S. locations. Amazon also said it has conducted sound testing to verify deliveries would be brief and not create a nuisance comparable to other daily noises.
Commissioners and staff discussed coordination with federal aviation authorities and the Texas Military Department, restrictions near Martindale Army Airfield, how the FAA’s airspace approvals intersect with local land-use approvals, and how the company will handle customer privacy and data from onboard perception cameras. Amazon said it cannot conduct commercial surveillance under Texas law, that on-board perception is used for obstacle detection and safety, and that flight footage is preserved only as required to investigate incidents.
Several commissioners and the applicant discussed outreach plans; Amazon described recent meetings with the council office, the aviation department and city staff and said it had scheduled a public information event at St. Philip’s College on May 20. Commissioners requested clear, timely notice to neighborhoods and community groups before any FAA environmental review or council action; several commissioners said they wanted time for that outreach.
A motion to continue to allow broader community engagement was proposed but failed during roll call. A later procedural motion to approve the site also failed. The commission asked Amazon and staff to continue direct engagement with the council office and neighborhood groups and to return to the commission with additional community engagement and technical information, including the FAA coordination steps and NEPA/environmental review status.
