McCandless begins ordinance draft that would designate drill locations
Share with others:
McCandless officials held a public hearing Monday night as the first step in adopting an ordinance governing oil and gas drilling operations in the community.
Solicitor William Ries said the move is being prompted by the potential for Marcellus Shale drilling for gas in the community. The ordinance, he said, would protect residents by outlining where companies can drill.
"This is an ordinance that establishes institutional and C-2 [commercial areas] as the likely areas in McCandless that we will authorize drilling, if it's passed by council," Mr. Ries said, adding that the area would include North Park.
Town Manager Tobias Cordek explained that McCandless has already imposed a pending ordinance doctrine to have something in place should a company want to drill in the township before the ordinance is adopted.
The doctrine also enabled officials to conduct a detailed study of the Marcellus Shale situation in preparation for the hearing.
The North Hills Council of Governments, which includes 18 municipalities from Marshall to West Deer, has asked McCandless to share its findings from the study.
"Pennsylvania does not allow exclusionary zoning in any municipality," zoning officer Bruce Betty said. "Council is trying to limit this ordinance, but we can't forbid drilling in the township. This ordinance is the township's way of controlling where drilling takes place."
The ordinance covers a variety of restrictions that would place liability on the shoulders of drilling applicants in case of accidents and damages and keep residential areas undisturbed.
For instance, drillers will have to be bonded to cover the costs of damages to town roads, should any result from drilling; it calls for regulations against burning brush to clear land; there are lighting and noise requirements and enforced hours of operation.
"A preparedness, prevention and contingency plan is required at these sites," Mr. Betty said. "And if that plan requires any special equipment, the applicant [would be required] to provide and pay for that."
They also would be required to provide first responders with necessary information and training to deal with drilling disasters.
He said land owned by churches, government bodies and cemeteries are likely targets and pointed to county-owned land behind Wexford Plaza ais one area being considered.
Concerned residents encouraged council to study the situation further, but Mr. Ries cautioned that too many restrictions could be detrimental.
"We want to keep control without stepping over the line," he said. "We have to be careful to make sure our ordinance will hold up under the law."
Information from Monday's hearing will be reviewed during the township's zoning committee Sept. 13 meeting.
A vote on the ordinance will take place at council's regular business meeting Sept. 27.
First Published August 26, 2010 6:08 am
