Snellville discusses Walmart drone-delivery pilot proposed for U.S. 124 store

Snellville City staff briefed the mayor and council on a proposal from Walmart to operate commercial drone deliveries from the Walmart store on U.S. 124, part of a pilot program using Wing-manufactured aircraft. The presentation outlined operations, safety oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration, and the physical setup Walmart would place on site.

City staff said the drones are larger than consumer models, carry small packages (about 2 to 2.5 pounds), cruise at roughly 60–70 mph, and operate from a fenced “nest” on the Walmart property. "They talked about the noise level... as quiet as a lawnmower or a weed eater," city staff member Matt said during the presentation. Staff described a process in which a drone hovers 20–25 feet above a drop point and lowers a package on a tether before returning to the nest.

The council was asked to consider whether it wanted staff to invite Walmart for a detailed presentation or to take no action. Councilmembers and staff raised several concerns about the concept and the temporary on-site structures Walmart showed in its materials: chain-link fencing around a container or shed, a portable generator to charge equipment, and little aesthetic screening. "I don't want 70 mile an hour lawn mowers flying over Betty Ann's house," one councilmember said, expressing noise and residential-impact worries.

Staff noted that local zoning code would not allow the temporary nest structure as currently depicted without a permit or variance, and that the city cannot regulate drones while they are in navigable airspace — the FAA sets flight rules. Staff also said Walmart has met with other local jurisdictions and that the company partners with an operator (Wing) rather than manufacturing the drones itself.

Councilmembers asked about helicopter operations near the store and were told Walmart representatives said they had coordinated required FAA distance limits with relevant helicopter operators. "They said they had talked with them and worked that out," a staff speaker said, noting Walmart’s assurances but not providing documentation.

No motion or vote was taken. Staff said Walmart offered to do a longer presentation at a future work session; councilmembers generally favored watching test sites elsewhere before taking action but did not close the door on future discussions.

The briefing left several items for follow-up: whether a formal application (variance or permit) would be required for any on-site nest, whether Walmart would install permanent screened facilities rather than a container and chain-link fencing, what power source would be used if generator operation continued, and documentation of FAA coordination regarding nearby hospital helipads.