Evanston City Council Delays Action On Drone Restrictions

EVANSTON, IL — The Evanston City Council decided Monday to delay any action on a proposal to restrict the use of drone aircraft in public airspace after the ordinance's sponsor, Alderman Melissa Wynne, introduced changes to the rules and asked to postpone the vote. It was the second time the a scheduled vote on the proposal has been delayed, although city attorneys recommended the ordinance be approved despite lawsuit threats. The ordinance would require anyone seeking to operate small pilotless aircraft obtain permission from the owner of every piece of property over which it flies, including public land.

"I've been doing a lot of research about drone ordinances," 3rd Ward Ald. Wynne said. "And I'd like to offer an amendment that changes it somewhat." Wynne introduced the proposed rules after she was told a child had been hit by a drone on a local playground.

Wynne said the idea is to "continue to have a drone ordinance with certain regulations, but to permit drone usage in city parks, near schools and schoolyards when school is not in session and otherwise the ordinance would stay the same." (Sign up for our free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts for the Evanston Patch.)

At Monday's meeting, 9th District Ald. Cicely Fleming suggested a $500 fine was too high, and council members unanimously agreed to delay further discussion of the issue until their July 24 meeting.

A drone hobbyist group had recently mobilized against the proposal and one Elgin drone operator threatened to sue, Evanston Now reported. At issue is whether state or local governments can regulate airspace below 500 feet, above 500 feet, or not at all. Some lawyers argue federal law preempts local regulation of airspace.

Find below the full text of the proposed ordinance and a memo from City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz recommending its adoption:

Top photo via Pixabay