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Planning commission approves Zipline drone charging station at Cleveland Clinic site
Summary
The Beachwood Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved preliminary and final site plan approval for a 12‑dock Zipline drone charging and delivery station at Cleveland Clinic’s Science Park Drive offices, after hearing technical, safety and community‑engagement details from Zipline and city departments.
The Beachwood Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously May 28 to approve a drone docking and charging station to serve Cleveland Clinic pharmacy deliveries at 3175 Science Park Drive.
Zipline representatives and the engineering applicant described a two‑component installation: a 12‑dock docking tower (17.5 feet) and a separate charging tower (26.5 feet) located on a 47‑by‑57 foot concrete pad, surrounded by an eight‑foot fence. Jay Kinch of Osborne Engineering said the towers and pads comply with the U9 Motor Service District zoning and noted there are no setback or height issues.
Stephanie Lombardi, a Zipline representative, told the commission the company began medical deliveries overseas in 2016 and has since expanded to commercial healthcare partnerships in the U.S. "We're an international drone delivery company," she said, describing Zipline's experience and partnership with Cleveland Clinic.
Zipline staff answered technical and safety questions during a detailed exchange with the commission. A Zipline operations representative said the company holds a Part 135 FAA authorization for beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight flights and relies on remote operators to monitor flights. "We have a part 135 waiver with the FAA as a company, so beyond visual line of sight," the representative said. The team also described built‑in redundancies and an automated parachute fallback in the event of catastrophic failure.
Commissioners pressed on local impacts and outreach. Zach Hill, Zipline's community engagement lead, said the company will reach out to neighborhood groups, schools and local emergency services and continue coordination with police and fire before and during the start of service. Hill said initial service aims for about 20 deliveries per day in phase 1, ramping toward approximately 75 deliveries by the end of the fiscal year.
City departments had no objections to the civil site plan and emphasized standard preconditions. The commission's approval requires compliance with fire, police and building department conditions and with any jurisdictional regulatory requirements.
The commission's action authorizes both preliminary and final site plan approval; Zipline and Cleveland Clinic will return to staff as needed to document regulatory compliance and construction logistics.
