Katy approves a Zipline drone delivery hub with six charging towers off Interstate 10

The Katy City Council in Texas voted unanimously on 9 November to allow a Zipline drone charging station in the West Ten Business Park, north of Interstate 10, DroneXL reports. The site, just under 3 acres, will get six towers that can each hold six aircraft, and will serve homes within about 3 miles.

Zipline told councillors that deliveries could begin within three months. It still needs a city building permit, expected to take four to eight weeks, and then eight to ten weeks of construction. The city said the approval applies only to that parcel, and any other drone site in Katy would need its own vote.

Council members asked about flights near schools, hurricanes and the aircraft's cameras. Zipline said it does not deliver to schools or fly over public school property, but section 423.009 of the Texas Government Code stops cities from adopting or enforcing rules on how drones are operated, so that promise cannot become a city ordinance.

Zipline said its aircraft carry 8 pounds (3.6 kg), fly at up to 70 mph and cruise at about 330 feet, and that their cameras are for navigation, not surveillance. Wing has delivered Walmart orders to Katy addresses since 15 January, so Zipline would become the second drone delivery operator in the area.