That's what The Dallas Morning News said about the controversy over drones in Richardson, as part of a new story about Amazon working to expand drone delivery in DFW.
"Some concerns." That's putting it mildly. Twelve members of the public submitted comment cards (which are never read or included in the minutes) that City Manager Don Magner indicated were all "opposed." Eight people signed up to speak in person. Eight people the City Manager couldn't simply brush off as being "opposed." One described the noise as being like that made by a "flying dishwasher." One said homeowners compared the sound to "diesel engines," saying homeowners wanting to avoid truck noise deliberately bought houses away from highways and arterials, "and yet that's now what we are subjected to" from the air. Another described it as living under a "drone highway." Other descriptions were of an incessant, intrusive buzzing, even inside homes. So, "some concerns"? Yeah, the DMN is technically correct, but it undersells the complaints by a wide margin.
So how did Womack do in describing Amazon's response? He said Amazon is "making adjustments." Womack treated it as almost a done deal. "Making adjustments." Problem solved. Right? Almost one month after the first city council meeting, certainly enough time for DMN do a followup on how those "adjustments" are working out. At another City Council meeting, on April 6, 2026, another resident had the answer. He described the drones today:
"They are becoming a nightmare. Still. Just wanted to let you know we're still here. We're still trying to find an answer for that. We know you're going to be in executive session tonight to talk about that. Y'all received a lot of emails about the proposals of things that we have found that was promised to y'all from Sam at Amazon, and he has not fulfilled his obligation."
Spoiler alert: in that executive session, the City Attorney advised the City Council that Amazon held all the cards, thanks to the permit the City Council itself granted Amazon in a 4-3 vote in 2025 to operate drones from this site.
I have three things to say. First, to the residents: you also have next to no leverage in this matter, thanks to that 2025 vote. But you can still punish the council members who voted for Amazon over the best interest of residents (Hutchenrider, Dorian, Corcoran, and Arefin). Remember that in 2027 when all council members face the voters. Also remember that Mayor Omar and Council members Justice and Barrios were on the side of the residents.
Complaining to the City Council is still necessary, but no longer sufficient. You have to apply direct pressure on Amazon to change their business. That means letter-writing (to Amazon, to state legislators, to DMN), that means boycotts and public protests, that means showing up wherever Amazon is asking other cities for a zoning change to advise them to oppose Amazon. Will Amazon relent? Probably not, but it's the only thing that might work.
Second, to the Richardson City Council: four of you voted against Richardson residents' best interests in 2025 (Hutchenrider, Dorian, Corcoran, Arefin). You can't change your vote now. But we have learned that Amazon's self interests are not in the best interest of the residents of Richardson. It wouldn't be a stretch to argue that Amazon is hostile to those interests. You need to make it known publicly that you won't support any future favors asked for by a business that is hostile to the city's residents' best interests. That's how the City Council can apply direct pressure.
Third, to The Dallas Morning News. You need to tell Brian Womack not to pass off as a straight news story something that just as easily could have been written by the public relations department of Amazon. I subscribe to The Dallas Morning News for straight news, not press releases. Quit finding reasons to make me regret it.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
"'Making adjustments,'
Amazon speaks smooth and calm,
Still the nightmare lasts."
—h/t ChatGPT
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