Nags Head proposes drone regulations
NAGS HEAD, N.C. (WAVY) – A proposed ordinance would mean stricter rules rules for drones in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
For many cities and towns in the Outer Banks and in Hampton Roads, regulating unmanned aircraft is new territory. However the small town of Nags Head is trying to come up with an ordinance that puts some specific rules in place before drones ever become a problem.
You may have noticed them in the sky. Operator Nathan Lawrenson showed 10 On Your Side how his drone works. Within seconds, the drone gave a breathtaking view of the ocean from Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head.
Lawrenson said if the proposal passes as it is, it would prevent him from flying in Nags Head. “It was very restiricting,” he said.
As it is written, the ordinance prohibits several things including drones being flown between dusk and dawn. It also requires operators get prior written approval to use them over the ocean, the beach or any public property.
Document: Nags Head Town Ordinance
“I appreciate what the Town of Nags Head is doing, because they are trying to be proactive and they’re tyring to put some regulations in place. The concern is that with any new technology the first reaction is almost always overblown,” Lawrenson said.
Lawrenson told WAVY.com he wants to help town leaders create a policy that leads to a happy medium; one that protects public safety and privacy, but also allows him to do what he loves.
“I’m hoping where they will be willing to compromise and say, ‘Yeah there should be a time during the middle of the day where drones are prohibited, but to give us some [time] whether it’s an hour or two, either at the beginning or at the end of the day or both when the sun is still in the air and that’s really when a lot of hobbyist want to be flying anyway,” Lawrenson said.
No town officials wanted to talk on camera, but spokeswoman Roberta Thuman told 10 On Your Side’s Brandi Cummings via email, the town is, “…not anti-drone.” Thuman wrote, town leaders “just want to be sure that when drones are used on public property, they are used safely.” She continued by writing, they “cannot regulate drones on private property. There are federal and state regulations to do that.”
Document: Memo to Commissioners on Unmanned Aircraft
“It’s too restrictive for me to be able to do what I do, which is simply to take my drone up in the air, take a couple photos and videos, bring it back down and share those with whoever wants to see them,” Lawrenson said.
A public meeting, held at 6 p.m. Wednesday allowed residents to voice concerns to town leaders. So far the town has not yet set a date on when leaders will vote on the ordinance.
http://wavy.com/2015/06/17/nags-head-proposes-drone-regulations/
