Mesquite panel approves Wing Aviation drone‑delivery staging site at Towne East Mall with conditions

The Mesquite Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 27 unanimously recommended approval (7–0) of a conditional‑use permit for a drone‑delivery staging area on a separate lot at Towne East Mall, to be operated by Wing Aviation in partnership with DoorDash. The recommendation includes five staff‑recommended stipulations and an amended screening requirement: an 8‑foot screened fence or equivalent material approved by the director of Planning and Development Services.

Planning staff explained that the city regulates the ground staging area while the Federal Aviation Administration regulates flight paths and air operations. Garrett Lankford said the applicant revised its site plan during the hearing to meet the city’s 200‑foot separation requirement from zoned residential, and staff recommended approval as a temporary use with conditions.

Zenobia Haynes, representing Wing Aviation, described operations and safety features: drones weigh about 11½ pounds, carry approximately 2.5‑pound payloads, fly up to about 6 miles, and operate in daylight only; Wing holds FAA air carrier certification and uses remote oversight from a flight team based in Coppell. Haynes said deliveries would be limited to single‑family residences, items would be transferred using an enclosed 'hex tote,' drones would lower packages on a tethered pod rather than land on a customer’s property, and the site would use battery‑swap generators with provider Sunbelt handling replacements.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on noise, collision avoidance, screening materials and fencing height, hours of operation, and security. The applicant said typical delivery traffic would deploy only several drones at a time from the proposed 18‑pad nest and that camera resolution on the drones is low and not suitable for ‘snooping.’ Commissioners amended staff stipulation 3 to require an 8‑foot screened fence (alternative durable material to be approved by the planning director) rather than the staff’s originally proposed 6‑foot wood fence, and added the director approval language to allow operationally compatible screening. The motion to approve (with the five staff stipulations and the amended screening requirement) carried 7–0.

The permit is limited in duration and includes requirements that equipment be removed when operations cease, that only battery‑powered generators be used, and that the CUP be tied to the applicant. The recommendation will move to City Council for final action and the applicant must complete any required site‑plan and permit reviews before operations begin.