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Drilling law may change
By Tasha Hayton, Staff Writer
Oil and gas drilling ordinances may see a change in Southlake.
Amendments to the gas drilling ordinance, as suggested by the oil and gas task force, will go in front of Southlake City Council for the first reading April 15. It will go again for a reading in May, said Ken Baker, director of planning and development.
The oil and gas task force met Monday night to read over the 80-page gas ordinance, said Pilar Schank, community relations officer for the city of Southlake.
Discussion among the task force — including three council members — culminated months of research and other city visits, Baker said. It has just come to pass as increased natural gas drilling has occurred in the North Texas area.
"This (ordinance discussion) has been going on for almost a year," Schank said.
The ordinance was originally written in 2004, and the updates have been suggested to keep up with the trends.
"It's been a number of years since the ordinance has been updated. We wanted to ensure — that as technology changes occurred — best management practices in our ordinance," Baker said. "This culminates a lot of research and effort by the city council."
The suggested ordinance includes requiring oil or gas wells to be built farther away from residents. The current rule is drilling must be at least 600 feet from a residence or public building. The suggested change may extend it to 1,000 feet.
The changes will also require drilling applicants provide an evacuation plan in case of emergency to schools, hospitals and day cares in a 1,000-foot radius, Baker said.
In addition, the applicant would have to submit noise abatement, environmental, erosion control plan and other site-specific plans, which is not currently required, Baker said.
Gas drilling in Southlake currently requires a specific use permit (SUP), but only in heavy industrial zoning, he said.
The new ordinance would allow for wells to be built outside of heavy industrial areas.
"It'll increase the land area on which you can apply for a SUP," Baker said.
But, even with the changes, it doesn't guarantee approval, he said.
"When you submit a SUP, it doesn't mean it will be approved," Baker said.
Ultimately, the final changes will be decided in May.
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