Richardson residents press city for action after repeated Amazon drone overflights

Residents from multiple Richardson neighborhoods told the City Council the new Amazon drone operations are creating a persistent noise and privacy problem and urged the city to press Amazon for changes.

"They're very, very loud, very disruptive," said Nikki Anderson, who said drones have flown over her property many times and suggested the city seek a hospital waiver to re-route flights. Scott Bratcher, an HOA president, reported drones as often as every 4–5 minutes throughout the day and said the operations have started earlier in the morning.

Stephanie Puri said HOA data recorded 122 drone flights directly over her home during a 10-hour period — roughly one every five minutes on that day — and asked the council to consider a noise impact study.

City Manager Don Magner told the council staff has held meetings with Amazon engineers from Virginia and Seattle and is optimistic about engineering changes. He said assistant city manager Charles Gough will collect resident contact information and staff will follow up within days to discuss possible mitigation strategies. Magner noted that airspace regulation is under the FAA, which has also been involved in resident inquiries.

Residents asked whether Richardson Methodist Hospital could provide a waiver that would allow Amazon to route flights over the hospital rather than residential blocks. That is an operational detail Amazon and the FAA would determine; staff said they are pursuing technical strategies with Amazon engineers and will report back.

No formal council directive was recorded beyond staff’s pledge to follow up with residents and continue negotiations with Amazon. Several residents requested a formal noise-impact study and stronger municipal engagement with Amazon and the FAA.

Selected quotes are taken verbatim from public speakers recorded during the meeting.