McKinney | April 2025

Government

BY COLBY FARR

Walmart drone project gets 2nd approvals

The impact

Drone delivery services will be provided by California-based Zipline. The company is partnering with Walmart to launch drone delivery services at stores across the Dallas- Fort Worth metroplex. The fully autonomous drones can carry up to 8 pounds and deliver within a 10-mile radius at speeds of up to 70 mph. Stefanie Cook, representing Zipline, said the drones would likely start delivering within a 2-mile radius at launch and can deliver grocery items such as food and electronics. Operations will be expanded as ocials work with the Federal Aviation Administration and build a customer base, she said. The drone has a 3-foot delivery radius, and customers can choose where their deliveries would land.

City oficials have approved zoning for drone delivery services at the Walmart store on McKinney’s Redbud Boulevard. McKinney City Council voted 5-2 to approve the zoning change at an April 15 meeting, with council members Rick Franklin and Charlie Philips voting against. Council members previously voted 3-2 on the zoning request in March. Despite earning a majority approval from council members present at the meeting, approval of the request would have required four afirmative votes, representing a majority of the seven- person council. A new request was submitted for the same zoning, according to the agenda item. The request approved by the council will allow

The delivery system consists of the drone and a delivery droid, which lowers a customer’s order on a tether.

COURTESY ZIPLINE DRONE DELIVERY & LOGISTICS

for a fenced-off pad with nine drone charging stations and two loading docks to be developed on the property. Construction will commence after securing the required permits and the service is expected to launch this fall, according to Walmart oficials.

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