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Council approves gas drilling ordinance
By Katy Moore, Staff Writer
Carrollton city officials say they’re prepared for if natural gas or oil companies converge on the city after passing an ordinance modeled after the city of Fort Worth’s gas drilling production ordinance.
Recent news that the Barnett Shale natural gas field could produce up to 108,000 jobs and $10.4 billion in output each year through 2015 has entities like Carrollton looking for ways to reap the economic benefits while still protecting citizens.
According to a study by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, “revenue to local governments, excluding royalty and lease payments, was about $227.7 million as of 2006 and will likely increase in the future.” Those numbers have some entities such as the city of Carrollton taking precautions early to protect residents and benefit the energy industry, should that natural gas field extend to Carrollton enough to warrant drilling.
“The Barnett Shale has the potential to reshape dramatically the budgets of local school districts, cities and other jurisdictions,” said Berzina in a statement. “Smart growth requires a clear understanding of just how much they can expect from this energy sector and plan ahead.
Carrollton officials already are preparing for the possibility of energy companies coming into Carrollton to drill by taking up safety concerns, environmental concerns and economic benefits into consideration and weighing those items with the benefit to citizens.
This protects the citizens in issues such as pollution, safety issues with equipment and economic impact and is also seen as a fair ordinance by energy companies, said city attorney J. Clayton Hutchins, who helped with the ordinance.
The ordinance sets specific stipulations for oil companies and drilling operators including requiring permits before drilling and limiting the locations and for gas well permits. Under the ordinance approved Tuesday, it is unlawful for companies to drill within 600 feet of parks, playgrounds and picnic and athletic facilities. The ordinance also states that it drilling would be forbidden within 600 feet of any residence, religious institution, public building, hospital, retail site or school or within 100 feet of a potable water well or within 150 feet of a property line.
The ordinance also ensures that hazardous materials will be stored properly and that gas companies are held responsible for environmental pollution.
Council member Matthew Marchant said the ordinance balanced the potential economic benefits to the city with the safety of residents.
The city also passed an ordinance approving a zoning change for a 6.4-acre site on Rosemeade Parkway which will host 43 townhomes. Council member Marchant recused himself in that vote.
The townhome community, tentatively named Rosemeade Villas, will be situated on property that had previously been zoned for retail development for about 32 years but has remained vacant.
In other business, the city approved an expansion of facilities at Creekview High School. The district plans to add a multipurpose athletic facility to the growing campus and also will extend the band and dance halls and add two new tennis courts. All of these expansions have been planned for years, with the exception of the multipurpose athletic facility.
City officials said there was some concern from residents living nearby that the expansions would mean giving up valuable green space near their homes, but city officials said the building sites are primarily current parking lots.
Contact staff writer Katy Moore at kmoore@acnpapers.com or at 972-628-4087.
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