Citywide drone ban proposed in Springfield, Illinois

Springfield aldermen will soon decide whether to altogether ban drones from operating within the city.

In a proposed ordinance filed with the city clerk's office Friday, unmanned aircraft systems would be prohibited, but model aircraft that are used for recreational purposes would be allowed, with some restrictions.

The Federal Aviation Administration is finalizing its rules on drones, and if passed, the local regulations may need to be tweaked to fall in line with the FAA rules once those are on the books.

But in the meantime, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said he wanted to put in place local rules, which could be loosened or reduced in the future if there's a need.

"It's a way to get the discussion going," Langfelder said. "But I think something needs to happen."

Chris Johnston, who has a Decatur-based business called CJ Aerial Photography, said he's done quite a bit of work in Springfield and wants that to continue, so a drone ban would have a definite impact.

Johnston photographed the progress of recent construction at Memorial Medical Center and works in Springfield on various projects for clients somewhat frequently.

"It would definitely put a wrench in my operation if drones were banned there," Johnston said.

The proposed drone ban first came up during Tuesday's committee of the whole meeting, when Langfelder said he saw a need for local restrictions due to privacy and safety concerns. At that time, city officials said they were mulling a drone ban up to a certain altitude, but the filed ordinance would be a broad prohibition of the unmanned devices.

Drones that are used by law enforcement and emergency response agencies would only be permitted in the city "as allowed by state or federal statute, provided notice is given to the chief of the Springfield Police Department."

Recreational model aircraft wouldn't be included in the ban as long as they don't carry cameras or listening devices for surveillance, they're flown within sight of the operator, the operator maintains constant control of the device, it's only flown above a property where the operator has permission, and it's within 100 feet of the ground.

Under the proposed restrictions, model aircraft would be prohibited, however, from operating on or above city-owned properties and other public properties, including Lake Springfield, and would have to stay a "safe distance" from power lines.

Ward 8 Ald. Kris Theilen raised the drone issue at Tuesday's meeting after receiving a call from a concerned constituent who saw from a boat on Lake Springfield an unmanned device flying near the City Water, Light and Power plant.

Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin hasn't heard much concern from the public about drones flying over the city, but he guessed the newly proposed ordinance will likely generate some discussion.

Aldermen are slated to discuss the proposal at their Nov. 24 committee of the whole meeting, and the ordinance would be up for a final vote next month.

Dan Lohmar, who uses an unmanned aerial device as a hobby, said he's usually flown it over sparsely populated areas. He said he can understand officials wanting to see a ban in the city. But he suggested that for experienced operators who have a specific reason for using a drone in the city, there should be an exception.

"If there's a ban, I understand," Lohmar said. "It's a privacy issue. I get that."

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