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Parker adopts nine-month moratorium on drone delivery and dispatch facilities
Summary
Parkercouncil adopted emergency ordinance 3.375 to suspend new land-use applications for drone dispatch and delivery facilities for nine months while staff works with a consultant to develop operational and land-use standards.
Planning staff presented an emergency ordinance (3.375) that would suspend acceptance and processing of applications for drone dispatch and delivery facility uses within town limits for nine months to allow staff to evaluate emerging technologies and draft development and operational standards. Staff described delivery drones as unmanned aircraft that can travel up to roughly six miles carrying up to five pounds, often operating at 150to 400 feet and producing measured noise of about 62.6 decibels when lowering or retrieving packages.
Council members asked how the draft moratorium would interact with existing noise rules and with police uses of drones, wildlife, and privacy concerns. Multiple council members said the pause was intended to let the town learn more and craft measured regulations rather than issue a permanent ban. "We're not saying no. We're just saying no today," Council member Barrington said. Council member Wilkes moved to adopt the emergency ordinance and Council member Hefta seconded; the ordinance passed unanimously, 6-0.
The pause directs staff to work with an outside consultant to develop standards and recommended amendments to the land development ordinance. The council emphasized the moratorium's purpose is fact-finding and development of appropriate operational and siting rules for drone delivery and dispatch facilities before those uses are permitted in the town.
