Oct 28, 2015 3 min read

South Strabane Township supervisors on Tuesday took steps toward revising its drilling ordinance.

Supervisors reviewed revisions to the township’s zoning ordinance regarding oil and gas, proposed by township solicitor Thomas Lonich under a curative amendment.

The curative amendment, which was approved by supervisors at their Sept. 8 meeting, is aimed at addressing deficiencies in the ordinance.

New permits cannot be applied for by gas companies during the curative amendment period, which runs for 180 days from the date it was approved.

“The important thing is that it stops gas companies from moving ahead with any new applications until we get our regulations correct, as well as we can,” said Jack Keisling, chairman of the board of supervisors.

During the curative amendment period, it is the responsibility of the board of supervisors to identify and address deficiencies in the ordinance.

“I think it’s really important for the protection of the residents and even the whole community,” said Keisling. “The real big thing is when the gas well and compressor stations are built, that’s the end of growth in that particular part of the community. It’s really to preserve the economic growth of the community.”

Under the existing ordinance, gas drilling is permitted in all zoning districts as a conditional use.

Lonich said Tuesday that deficiencies in the ordinance include: a failure to address compressor stations and water impoundments; failure to place reasonable and safe conditions on oil and gas well drilling and related activities; and failure to adequately address areas within the township where it is deemed appropriate to conduct oil, gas and mineral extraction activities.

Lonich discussed seven proposed revisions to the ordinance.

Among them were requiring the well pad site not exceed five acres, an increase over the proposed three acres; requiring applicants to provide security 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the start of construction activity until the completion of operations; and supervisors re-examine the portions of the proposed amendment that address water testing.

“I think addressing the water issue is very important, not only on property, but in streams and springs for farmers,” said Keisling.

The board also is considering options to mitigate noise.

At its next meeting in November, the supervisors will deliberate over conditions attached to compressor stations, said Keisling.

Township resident and planning commission member Bob Weber asked supervisors to look into gas industry truck traffic and routes, and said he has concerns about trucks driving on Zediker Station Road, which is partly owned by the state and includes small bridges that might be damaged by heavy trucks. He asked supervisors to consider requiring gas companies to use an existing gas route.

In other business, supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a conditional use application for Meadows Landing Senior Real Estate LLC to construct a nursing facility called Poet’s Walk at 71 Landings Drive, Meadows Landing.

Supervisors approved granting to final land development approval for the nursing home.

Jervis Hairston, who represented the developers of Poet’s Walk, which operates in Virginia and is building facilities in Virginia and Florida, said the 60-bed assisted living facility is designed to exclusively serve patients with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias.

The one-level, 38,000-square-foot building will offer a variety of private studio rooms and companion suites.

Supervisors also voted to grant final subdivision approval for the RSKT LLC subdivision plan.

The environmental company, which specializes in emergency response and rescue, owns 18 acres but plans to sell five or six acres of that parcel.