The city of Flagler Beach may soon restrict the use of drones in certain areas due to safety and privacy concerns. Some drone users are in support of the proposed ordinance.

  • Ordinance would restrict drone use
  • Officials concerned about safety and privacy
  • The ordinance is expected to come up for final approval

"It gives me a lot of joy and I like to share videos and pictures with others," said Scott Spradley, a Flagler Beach resident.

Spradley has been flying his drone for about four years. He mainly uses it as a hobby or to shoot video for marine life projects.

At first, he was concerned that the city was on the mission to ban drones all together.

"I dropped what I was doing to go down to city hall," said Spradley.

However, the city said it welcomes drones, but it currently doesn't have a code in place to regulate them.

A new proposed ordinance would set the rules for drone users instead.

It  would set limits on flying within 500 feet of schools, churches, public buildings, public events and places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, like someone's home and private neighborhoods.

Concerns that were named in the ordinance, include unlawful and unwanted surveillance or voyeuristic activities contrary to the privacy interests of the citizens of Flagler Beach.

Spradley said he agrees the city needs these regulations.

"If I were to fly it above eye level and fly it in such a way that it could see in windows that I couldn't see at eye level that would be prohibited by the ordinance. For example, I wouldn't walk into my neighbors yard without being invited to do so I wouldn't fly my drone over my neighbor's yard," he said.

Flagler Beach residents in the area said they were in favor of the ordinance, but Spradley said he knows some drone users who probably don't like the idea.

"There are other drone operators friends of mine who don't like the ordinance because they don't want any restrictions at all of drones," Spradley said.

But he's hopeful the ordinance is adopted to keep everyone safe.

"I'm hopeful that new operators will begin to take seriously the responsibility that you have to fly a drone and recognize the restrictions that are there," said Spradley.

The ordinance is expected to come up for final approval.