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From:Axelrod, Jared
To:Party of Record
Subject:Comments on Docket Item# D-217
Date:Wednesday, August 17, 2022 6:34:20 PM
Good evening, Renton Planning Commission,
I wanted to offer some comments regarding docket item #D-217, related to personal delivery
devices, or PDDs.
As you’ll recall from my comments during your July 20 meeting, Amazon Scout is a fully-electric
delivery system designed to get packages or groceries to customers using personal delivery devices.
Scout was created by Amazon, are the size of a small cooler, and operate at a slow, walking pace.
Scout provides many benefits to the community, including providing customers with convenience
and security for their delivery while also reducing the impact of climate change for future
generations.
Amazon was pleased to participate in several conversations with staff about PDDs, even before the
commission’s deliberation over the proposed regulations. We’ve had several conversations with staff
throughout the process, answering their questions in preparation for the commission’s deliberation
of a regulatory framework for PDD operation. We were pleased to see the staff’s recommendation
at your July 20 public hearing, which proposed several considerations and ideas for safe PDD testing
and operation in Renton.
Because of those productive conversations, we were surprised to learn of staff’s recommendation in
their supplemental report for today’s meeting, which recommends prohibiting PDD operations in
Renton. We recognize the limitations on staff capacity, and continue to make ourselves available to
answer staff’s questions and make any program as light on staff capacity as possible.
Instead of simply closing the door on this new technology and the benefits it can provide to Renton
residents, we would ask the commission to consider recommending a position of “no action
necessary.” Further, so as to ensure transparency, we commit to working with the city prior to
beginning any PDD operations in Renton.
We hope to continue working with staff to discuss PDDs and their operation in Renton.
Please contact me with any questions.
Jared Axelrod
Jared Axelrod | Senior Manager, Public Policy | Amazon
jaxelrod@amazon.com | O: 206.788.1511 | M: 425.941.8536
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