Discussion Regarding the Commercial Drone Delivery Ordinance Although this Work Session shall commence at Mansfield City Hall, City Council and staff will relocate to the HEB drone operations site (1670 E. Broad Street, Mansfield, Texas) for a live demonstration. Following the demonstration, Council will return to City Hall for the remainder of the Work Session and other items listed on the Septem

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Summary The City has been evaluating amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to establish clear land-use and development standards for commercial drone delivery facilities. Commercial drone delivery is already operating in Mansfield through Wing at Walmart and Zipline at H-E-B, and the proposed ordinance is intended to establish a consistent regulatory framework for future facilities rather than continuing to address each new operator or site on a case-by-case basis. The ordinance focuses on the City's traditional land-use authority over ground-based infrastructure, including location, setbacks, buffering, screening, height, parking, lighting, and similar site impacts, rather than regulation of aircraft while in flight. City Council first discussed the development of a commercial drone delivery ordinance during a Work Session on April 13, 2026. Following that discussion, staff developed an ordinance framework intended to provide a path forward for the emerging service while establishing community standards for the physical facilities supporting drone delivery. The Planning and Zoning Commission subsequently reviewed the ordinance during Work Sessions on May 7 and June 4 and conducted a public hearing on June 18. The City's public notice identified the proposed amendments as establishing commercial drone delivery definitions, permitted and Specific Use Permit (SUP) land uses, and special conditions applicable to commercial drone delivery facilities. During the Commission's review, discussion included the distinction between accessory and primary drone delivery hubs, the size and placement of staging areas, rooftop installations, permanent power, compatibility with noise-sensitive uses, institutional uses such as schools and churches, and the size and placement of remote Commercial Drone Kiosks. Several revisions were incorporated into the draft ordinance in response to those discussions. Staff has also worked directly with commercial drone delivery operators throughout de

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 7.1/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.