St. Henry proceeds with drone limits

ST. HENRY - Village council members are moving forward with plans to limit drone flights despite a businessman's concerns.

Council members on Monday approved first reading of an ordinance requiring anyone wanting to fly a drone or an unmanned aircraft up to 400 feet high within village limits to get an annual permit from the village administrator.

The operator also would be responsible for any damage caused by the drone. Flight permission could be denied at any time and violators could be fined $150 fine for each instance.

Eric Lochtefeld, owner of Lochte Technology Ltd., worries most people don't understand drones are used for many reasons other than spying on or killing people.

"I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about drones," Lochtefeld told council members. "I fly mine and take pictures of people's homes for them, their businesses, their parties, even weddings. I'm not here to intrude on anyone's privacy or cause trouble."

Council president Doug Rinderle had raised the issue at council's Oct. 13 meeting, saying he wanted the village to be pro-active on the issue.

"We have a responsibility to the residents not just regarding their privacy but for their safety," Rinderle told Lochtefeld.       Village solicitor Richard Delzeith said very few municipalities have drone regulations. However, drones have become a hot topic in states such as Texas and California, which are developing rules and regulations, he said.

"This issue is in its infancy right now," Delzeith said. "But it is not out of line for the village to require anyone wishing to fly a drone in village limits to obtain permission."

"I'd rather have something in place now and let someone challenge it than have nothing and for something to happen," Rinderle said.

Council member Joe Wourms assured Lochtefeld council members were not out to "stop your business."

"We just feel it's our responsibility to know who is out there flying these things and why," Wourms added.

In other business,

• A public works committee meeting was set for 7:15 p.m. Nov. 20 at village hall.

• A new welcome sign will be placed on the wall at the intersection of state Routes 118 and 119. The sign was modeled after the village's website.

• An emergency resolution was approved accepting an agreement between the village and Midwest Electric Inc. to provide service to the new housing subdivision on the northeast side of the village. Gelhaus said the Walnut Grove Subdivision 2 is advancing and he hopes all inspections will be complete by the end of November. The subdivision owned by Randy Tumbusch Construction is on 6 acres from Woodlawn Drive to Forest Street and could have 12 half-acre lots.