Residents tell Richardson council that frequent low-flying delivery drones are disturbing neighborhood

Angie Rogers, who lives at 3413 Birchwood Lane, told the Richardson City Council that large delivery drones have been flying over her home in the Woods of Spring Creek neighborhood ‘‘about 100 times a day’’ since December and that the activity has become intrusive and concerning.

Rogers said the drones are loud enough to be heard inside her house with the television on and that she has video of multiple low passes; she added that she is worried for pool privacy and safety when the weather warms. ‘‘I don't see a reason why they need to go right over my backyard,’’ Rogers said, and invited the council to visit her home to see the flights herself.

Neighbor Scott Burns, 3407 Birchwood Lane, said he observed similar patterns and described the aircraft as ‘‘very large’’ with about a 3–4-foot wingspan and occasional passes he estimated at roughly 75 feet above ground. Burns said the flights are frequent—sometimes every three to four minutes—and compared the noise to ‘‘an air raid.’’ He urged the council to review any assurances the operator provided about flight paths, altitudes and noise limits.

Both speakers said they had contacted the Federal Aviation Administration and expressed uncertainty about what local approvals, if any, permitted the flight paths over residential streets. City staff did not take action during the meeting but recorded the comments during the visitors forum.

The council did not take immediate action during the meeting; no staff presentation or response was given on the record beyond the city’s standard public-comment procedures. Residents who testified said they have videos and asked the council for follow-up and investigation, while noting they are also contacting the FAA.