Zoning and Planning

摘要

The City adopts an amendment to its zoning ordinance that regulates gas well drilling and production activities. Depending upon the location of the well site, an oil and gas operator will apply to apply for either a rural, urban or high impact permit. High impact permits are required where the well is located within 600 feet from one of the listed "protected uses." Public parks are a protected use. A rural gas well permit is required where the well will be located on an open space trract of at least 25-acres and for which there is no protected use within 1000 feet. Urban well permits are required for all other locations. High impact permits may be obtaiined by getting permission of the City Council or by obtaining waiverrs from all protected use property owners within 600 feet of the proposed well site. In August 2007, Chesapeake files an urban well permit. Even though the ordinance seemingly requires a decision within 30 days, no such decision is made by the City zoning official. The ordinance provides that if no decision is reached within that period the permit is not to be deemed approved. The well site is located within 600 feet of the TrinityTrails which is a hike-and-bike path.