WestboroughTuesday, November 3
Amazon withdraws its Westborough drone-delivery application but says a revised plan is coming
The Daily Worcester team
Amazon asked the Westborough Planning Board on Friday to let it withdraw, "without prejudice," its plan for a drone launch site at 64 Otis St. If you live in Worcester, take note: Westborough Patch reports the service area could have included portions of Worcester.
Amazon's drone plan went from filing to withdrawal in about three months
- July 24Amazon files its drone-delivery proposal with Westborough.
- Oct. 19Westborough Special Town Meeting approves drone restrictions, 510-13.
- Oct. 30Amazon asks the Planning Board to let it withdraw, without prejudice.
- Nov. 10The Planning Board will take up the withdrawal request.
Sources: Boston.com, Westborough Patch, The Boston Globe
That may not be the end of it. Spokesperson Lindsay Hamilton said Amazon will submit a revised proposal soon. State Sen. Michael Moore said he and other legislators plan to file legislation to help communities address concerns like these.
- Bylaw still needs attorney general and MassDOT Aeronautics Division approval
- MassDOT says Amazon needs state approval, with at least one public hearing
- Opposition group: Mass Blue Skies, formed by neighbors
The plan Amazon pulled was big, and voters pushed back hard
- 1,000
- drone deliveries a day, at most, in Amazon's plan
- 7.5 miles
- delivery radius around the Otis Street site
- 510-13
- Special Town Meeting vote on the drone bylaw
Sources: Boston.com, Westborough Patch
Sources: Boston.com, Westborough Patch, The Boston Globe