Proposed well sites draw ire in Chartiers
Chartiers Township supervisors have 45 days to approve or deny a conditional-use application from Range Resources to construct a gas well drilling pad on residentially zoned Kings Road.
Testimony from concerned residents from nearby Summit Court subdivision, Kingston Estates and Allison Hollow Road, lasted about two hours Tuesday during a public hearing. Those who spoke opposed the “Bird Run” pad, which would be located about 1,000 feet from the nearest residence.
James Cannon, director of local government relations for Range Resources, outlined the proposal, which now includes three wells, but could eventually include 10 wells, which, he explained, would have to be approved by the state but not at the township level.
The plan includes a 325-foot-by-345-foot pad with three wells, an access road and sound-barrier walls on the south and southwest sides of the site, as well as construction of up to two water lines. If approved, Range plans to start construction in the summer.
Concerns included air, water and noise pollution, truck traffic, decreased home values and the transience of workers who would live on-site. Range representatives said there is no mention of housing in their application, but workers would live on-site temporarily.
Resident Michael Dorish presented a petition signed by more than 40 residents in opposition to the well pad.
“We look to the board of supervisors to protect our interests,” he said.
Supervisor Richard Metzler said the board was acting in the best interests of residents and following state and local laws by holding a public meeting.
“There is a misconception,” he said. “We as a board did not invite oil and gas in so we could make money.”
Many residents asked if the site could be moved away from residential properties and questioned the safety of having a drill site so close to their homes.
“We have a lot of experience in drilling urban areas,” said C. Barry Osborne, vice president, land southern Marcellus Shale.
Many residents took offense to Osborne comparing the construction to that of a hospital.
Stephen Plonski, a Summit Court resident and attorney who helped pen an opposition letter to the board and invited a pediatrician to speak about the potential health effects on children, said the construction of a gas well site would be “nothing like a hospital.”
“We are opposed to having it in our backyard,” Plonski said.
Supervisor John Marcischak abstained from participation, as he has a land-lease agreement with Range Resources. Solicitor James Liekar said that Marcischak could be required to vote.