Politics & Government
Sewickley Hills Adopts Gas Drilling Ordinance
After months of discussion and continued hearings, Sewickley Hills approves a gas drilling ordinance Monday night.
Sewickley Hills Council, at a public hearing Monday night, moved to adopt and enact a Marcellus Shale ordinance. The adoption came months after the initial March 28 public .
This ordinance is an amendment of the borough's zoning ordinance of 1995, which deals with the exploration, recovery and production of oil and natural gas.
, after the ordinance was proposed, council worked to perfect it, making several drafting changes to ensure that the ordinance complies with state laws, particularly, the Oil and Gas Act.
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Councilman Klaus Gross expressed concern that even though changes have been made to the ordinance, there is still a chance that it will violate state law.
"There is always a chance that we'll end up in litigation, and that is just the chance we are choosing to take," he said.
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The ordinance will allow Marcellus Shale drilling only in the borough's commercial and industrial district, and there is a three-acre minimum for drilling spots.
The ordinance will monitor noise levels and environmental impact, control hours of operation and require reclamation and restoration of impacted areas, among other regulations.
Two Sewickley Hills residents, including Ray Ott, expressed concerns that property owners won't have enough freedoms under the ordinance.
Ott owns five acres in , and though he said he doesn't plan on drilling, he fears that he doesn't have the liberty to if he were to change his mind.
"We all deserve our freedoms, and this ordinance doesn't allow for it," he said. "It's just not practical."
The council responded to Ott's concern advising that he seek a variance through the zoning board, through which individuals may request exceptions to the ordinance. The board does not include council members.
After council adopted and enacted the drilling ordinance, members discussed a boundary tolerance ordinance, which officials said would have to be drafted and adopted separately.
Solicitor Art Leonard plans to draft the ordinance for next month's regular meeting.
