Will Be On The October 9 City Council Agenda

The Spokane Valley, WA parks department has proposed banning drones and model from the city's parks as part of a comprehensive update of its parks regulations.

The proposal was discussed August 21 at a City Council meeting. Mike Stone, Spokane Valley parks and recreation director told The Spokesman-Review newspaper that there has been a sharp increase in the use of drones in the city's parks, and there have been some "near misses." He said that there are people racing drones at 4-5 feet above the ground, and "here comes a young person on a bicycle, and the potential for a conflict is extremely challenging.”

Drones "have their place,” he said. “But I’m not sure they have their place in our parks,” Stone said.

Drone operators argue that such a ban would supersede FAA regulations governing drone operations.

Monty Lomazzi, chapter organizer for the drone racing group Spokane FPV, told the paper that he hopes the city will consider alternatives. He said allowing drones in specific parks or flying with a special permit would be good compromises. The group held an FPV event at Valley Mission Park two years ago, and holds events at multiple locations in the regions. "I've had zero safety problems," he said. "There hasn't been one injury of any sort."

In May, the city of Spokane updated park regulations to allow drones and model aircraft, but only if they are not operated in "a manner that is dangerous to persons or property."

Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins said the council will give the proposal a fair hearing. “We need to be educated as well, so we aren’t prohibiting something that shouldn’t be prohibited,” he said. “On the other hand, it’s going to apply to everybody, and you are going to have those who know how to operate the drones and those who don’t. You have to be able to protect the public. A flying object is a flying object.”

The proposal will be on the city council's October 9 agenda.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report