Redding council split on commercial drone testing

By Jenny Espino

Redding’s 2-2 deadlocked vote Tuesday night may have said no to entering the crowded bidding for commercial drone testing at the airport.

But the discussion is far from over, with the council leaving the door open for the item to possibly return in two weeks when all five members are present.

Mayor Rick Bosetti tried to allay a restless crowd’s concerns about the use of the technology. He told them six sites will be selected. There is a potential to bring jobs, and the region would have the chance on the front end to sit at the table and set regulations.

“Folks, it’s going to happen,” he said, adding that Redding is a prime location for learning to fly. “I would love to have a seat at the table when it comes time to say, ‘No. In Shasta County, we don’t want to do that. We don’t want those small things that are intrusive.’ ”

http://www.redding.com/news/2013/apr/02/redding-split-on-commercial-drone-testing/