Municipal News

Last Updated on Friday, 30 October 2015 00:04

By J.R. Brower

At their September 12 meeting, Peters Township Council approved a $29,000 contract with a consultant to study and make recommendations on setbacks for gas drilling operations. The township wants Cardno Engineering and Environmental Services of McCandless to determine appropriate risk based distances between drilling sites and residential neighborhoods in order to amend their ordinance, originally passed in 2011.

Officials said that this study will concentrate primarily on setting scientific standards on air pollution caused by drilling. The township has already had studies conducted regarding water-source and structural safety setbacks. Township Manager Michael Silvestri said that the main reason for the studies is to help protect the township from liability in case a drill or leaseholder sues for failing to allow drilling in certain areas.

Although there are no drilling operations currently being undertaken in the township, drillers have leased properties and have expressed their intent to begin drilling in the near future. The township has identified generally appropriate areas for drilling, and most are in regions that are undeveloped. Gas drilling is already taking place in the neighboring townships of Nottingham and Union.

Throughout this year, Peters has been working on amending its original gas drilling ordinance to conform to the 2013 state Supreme Court ruling that gives municipalities more control over where drilling is allowed. Township officials say that determining the environmental impact of gas drilling on the community is part of that process.

The overall consensus of Council is that the new study contracted with Cardno will help determine where drilling can be undertaken by allowing the township to establish legally defensible setbacks.

In other business, Peters Township Council:
 Waived $1,172 in delinquent property taxes on three lots in the Hidden Brook housing plan. The taxes were to have been paid by the developer Heartland Homes, which subsequently sold to NVR, Inc., the parent of Ryan Homes. The lots were supposed to have been transferred as common ground to the community’s homeowner association, which would have deferred the three parcels to tax-free status.
 Accepted a petition from residents of Crosswinds Drive for a traffic calming study.