TCU Gas Drilling On Hold And More News About High-Impact Gas Drilling Variances
by Steve-O
Gas drilling at TCU is on hold — at least for now — a city official confirmed today.
Chesapeake Energy received their permits for the three TCU gas wells from the Texas Railroad Commission in November and applied for High Impact Variances from the City of Fort Worth in December. However, a staffer in the gas drilling office at the City of Fort Worth said that the wells are “on hold for now” but declined to say why or for how long.
According to the city’s gas drilling ordinance, a high impact permit is required if the well is within 600 feet of a residence, religious institution, public building, hospital, school, or public park. There are many houses north of Cantey that appear to be within the 600-foot perimeter. The red dot on the map is the main reason I care. Gas drilling is not without some risk, and that red dot is Alice Carlson Elementary School. My daughter goes to school there.
All high impact permits, without a waiver from the protected use property owners, must be approved by the City Council after a public hearing. At the hearing, the City Council may consider whether the natural gas drilling would conflict with the orderly growth of the city, whether there are other alternative sites, access for fire personnel and equipment and the recommendations of the gas inspector. The City Council may accept, reject or modify the application.
Other High-Impact Variances
The TCU wells may be on hold, but there are several other High-Impact Variances that the City Council will consider on Tuesday. And there is a little bit of controversy surrounding the variance for the wells at 1019 Oak Grove Rd., 7397 Randol Mill Rd., 5601 East First St., and 1000 N. Henderson.
A notice published in the Star-Telegram classifieds listed the City Council hearing as Feb. 5 and the public information meeting on these cases as Feb. 28. However, the true public hearing on these wells was actually Jan. 24. Some concerned citizens believe that these hearings should be postponed for 30 days if they remain on the Council Agenda for Feb. 5 and then accurately re-noticed. “The citizens’ input process and interest must be take precedence,” said one citizen. This misrepresentation has compromised the opportunity to receive community input and the clock should start over on these postings.
I would encourage all citizens who are interested in gas drilling in general and these well sites in particular to be at the Council meeting on Feb. 5. This may be your only chance to comment.
Tags: TCU
7 Comments, Comments or Pings
Chewy
Joel Burns mentioned at the latest Fairmount General Meeting that they were on hold for a year until they find a location further away from neihborhoods.
I don’t know if the term “year” is a general term but it definitely sounded like they won’t be drilling in that planned location. The “year” may come from the estimated time to find a new spot and get the proper approvals.
I’m not sure where else they could do it on the campus of TCU unless maybe the intramural fields offer enough distance.
Jan 31st, 2008
TXsharon
This is very good news! Congratulations.
Jan 31st, 2008
Christian
Look at the space between the physical plant facility and the intramural fields as the new location.
Jan 31st, 2008
Suzette
The Public Hearing for the High Impact Well at Oakland & East 1st Street which was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 5th at 7pm has now been moved to Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 10am. Does anyone know why this hearing was moved? I know there were several neighborhood activists planning on attending the hearing on the 5th at 7pm.
Feb 2nd, 2008
Gary Hogan
The Public Hearing was resceduled from the May 5th date to the May 19th date because of the misinformation and the prior mail out where also inaccurate. The problem with this new date is that the Public Hearing is now as a daytime meeting vs an evening meeting. This will prevent many residents due to work commitments to be able to attend this hearing. I believe this is also a planned tactic. I would encourage many residents who can not make the May 19th date to do these things. 1) Write or email your City Council representative c/o to all City Council members and Mayor with either your concerns or protest to these cases or the process they where handled or 2) make an appearance at the Feb 5th date and sign as a speak for end of meeting agenda . There are already going to be several speakers regarding the handling of these cases. Your attendance of concern will be asked by atleast one of these speakers by standing.
Feb 3rd, 2008
Gary Hogan
Please be advised of my foolish error working on too many issues at once. The dates i posted of course should be Feb 5th and Feb 19th. Teach me to re read a posting before the send button. Gary Hoagn
Feb 3rd, 2008
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