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Commission recommends special‑use permit for Flytrex drone delivery site at 709 Cooper Drive
Summary
The Wylie Planning and Zoning Commission on May 6 voted 6–0 to recommend the city council allow a temporary Flytrex drone delivery operation at 709 Cooper Drive on a 0.47‑acre site owned by the Wylie EDC.
The Wylie Planning and Zoning Commission on May 6 voted 6–0 to recommend that the city council allow a temporary Flytrex drone delivery operation at 709 Cooper Drive, on a 0.47‑acre site owned by the Wylie Economic Development Corporation.
Staff described the proposed temporary special‑use permit as enclosing a 15‑by‑50‑foot perimeter, secured with an ornamental metal fence and two gates for fire access, and providing 14 launch pads and a storage building for drones and equipment. Operations are proposed from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and staff said the company stated it would operate in compliance with FAA requirements and any applicable FAA waivers.
Flytrex representative Jason McGarry said pilots will be on‑site and observers will monitor flights; pilots will be FAA‑certified for commercial operations. Staff noted the company reports a payload limit of about 6.6 pounds and a roughly five‑mile round‑trip service area. Under the company’s current FAA waiver the operator may have up to six drones in the air at a time, not all 14 pads launching simultaneously.
Commissioners asked about safety measures, fire risk and coordination with nearby Love Airfield flight paths. The applicant said drones will not operate above 400 feet, will have marking lights similar to aircraft and that batteries will be kept in storage with fire extinguishers on site. The applicant described redundancy measures and a "safe landing point" program used at other sites that designates alternate landing spots if necessary.
Staff said notices were mailed to 17 property owners and no written comments were received for or against. A member of the public asked whether Flytrex had received negative comments elsewhere; the applicant said the company had limited negative public incidents in its Texas operations and that flight paths can be adjusted if a neighbor is repeatedly overflown.
A motion to recommend the temporary special‑use permit to city council carried 6–0. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to council for final consideration; building permits and FAA approvals remain conditions for operation.
