Seems some local towns are getting ready to set up restrictions… Pilots like this are just asking for ordinances to be put into place--- One could think that they are nearly stalking this resident's property.
Franklin Lakes mayor sees need to limit drone operations - Town Government - NorthJersey.com
Franklin Lakes – A complaint by a resident alleging invasion of privacy by a drone said to be hovering near the resident’s property several nights in a row has changed the mayor’s mind about the need for a local ordinance restricting drone use.
Mayor Frank Bivona said the resident called the police and officers were able to track the drone as far as Wyckoff before losing it. He said that while previously he felt drones were more of a public safety problem, he now realizes they pose a privacy concern to residents.
"We have a [drone] privacy issue right here in our town," Bivona said. "This is a real issue now, confirmed by our police."
Borough Administrator Gregory Hart said he was told that "imminent" federal legislation may address the non-commercial uses of drones, though it was unclear whether the legislation would address privacy concerns.
Given the privacy concerns associated with uncontrolled drone use, Bivona said he agreed to wait for federal legislation, but that ultimately, the problem might be addressed by updating an existing ordinance with as little as one sentence.
" ‘You cannot fly drones over someone’s property without permission,’ " he said.
Councilwoman Ann Swist mentioned Allendale’s ordinance restricting drones that municipality’s governing body adopted in April. The ordinance prohibits drones and remotely controlled aircraft from flying in airspace below 400 feet over residences, commercial zones, public roads, buildings and parks.
Councilman Joseph Kelly suggested one option might be an ordinance limiting drone use to a large area such as the borough's new 84-acre Parsons Pond Park, while other council members preferred to wait and research the issue.
"We don’t want a ‘drone-ville’ there," Bivona said of such a limitation. "This scares me a little bit, that it’s being used for nefarious reasons."
Swist and Councilman Charles Kahwaty noted that real estate agents are required to obtain permission from property owners before flying a drone overhead. Councilman Joseph Cadicina urged the council to restrict air space over public property.
At Bivona’s request, both Hart and borough attorney William Smith said they would research what might be done to protect residents’ privacy from drones. Hart said he hoped both would present research for discussion at the July 5 council work session.
And here is the follow up article from last week…..
Franklin Lakes – The Borough Council has introduced an ordinance to limit the operation of drones in public and private airspace below 500 feet.
A public hearing will be held Aug. 16.
The ordinance comes in response to reports of a drone hovering near a resident’s property several nights in a row. Council members have discussed the issue at several public meetings.
"This is a good first step," said Mayor Frank Bivona. "It’s not a ban, but there are regulations."
Councilman Charles Kahwaty said Borough Administrator Gregory Hart did a "wonderful job" drafting the ordinance but with electronic devices being "miniaturized to such an extent," he said the ordinance is likely to soon need updating.
The ordinance states that drones may not be operated in any airspace below 500 feet over private property without the owner’s permission and over any borough street or building without permission from the mayor and council between dawn and dusk, or over persons within 100 feet of where the drone is being operated.
Exceptions include any governmental or law enforcement agency, individuals or entities operating a drone with permission for commercial purposes, or the lawful and authorized operation of drones for "commercial, business, educational, scientific, research, environmental, and personal purposes."
Hart said via email that since no specific penalties are detailed, violators of the ordinance would be subject to the general penalty provision of borough code. That provision calls for, upon conviction, "imprisonment in the county jail…for any term not exceeding 90 days or by a fine not exceeding $2,000 or by a period of community service not exceeding 90 days."
Council members had waited to determine whether a recent Federal Aviation Administration ruling would address non-commercial drone use. However, borough attorney William Smith said that while that ruling addressed safety issues, privacy concerns were left up to municipal officials to decide.
In June, members discussed a resident’s complaint of a drone hovering around her home for several consecutive nights. Police attempted to follow the drone but lost it somewhere near the Wyckoff border. At Bivona’s urging, Hart and Smith researched options to protect residents’ privacy.
