This Tarrant County city is a step closer to getting drone deliveries from Walmart
North Richland Hills is one step closer to launching a one-year pilot program for drones to deliver groceries, medications and other items from Walmart.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 Thursday following a public hearing to recommend that the City Council approve sites for a landing pad and operations center in parking lots at two Walmart stores along Loop 820, which would pave the way for a one-year pilot project.
If approved, North Richland Hills would be the first Tarrant County city to allow the drone deliveries.
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal for the landing pad and drone operations center during its Feb. 26 meeting.
No one who attended the hearing spoke in opposition to the proposal from Kimley-Horn and Associates, which was made on behalf of Wing Aviation and Walmart.
“This is an exciting case,” said zoning commission chair Justin Welborn before Thursday night’s vote.
The drones would deliver food in less than 30 minutes. The drone can deliver packages of around 2 1/2, according to a representative from Wing Aviation.
The companies did not give a time frame when the drone deliveries would start if the pilot program is approved.
The drones would fly within a six-mile radius of the Walmart stores.
Wing Aviation began drone deliveries in Frisco, Little Elm an Lewisville.
The company has approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
