Thursday, March 28, 2024

First Reading of Revised Gas & Oil Drilling Ordinance set for Oct. 4

The first of two readings of a revised version of the City’s gas and oil drilling ordinance 880-B will take place at the October 4, 2011 Council meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and will take place in the City Council Chambers of Town Hall, 1400 Main Street, Southlake, Texas.

“Handling any and all changes to the City’s existing gas and drilling ordinance is a time-consuming process requiring that great attention to detail be paid by the Council,” stated City Manager Shana K. Yelverton. “Taking action at the October 4 Council meeting instead of an earlier date will allow the Council to consider the proposed ordinance revisions with the same diligence that was given to the original ordinance.”

Earlier this year, the Southlake City Council determined the time had come to review and update the City’s municipal ordinances and regulations to ensure the protection of the property interests of mineral estate owners as well as the rights, opportunities and property interests of surface estate owners. City staff was directed to review all appropriate environmental, planning materials and development regulations, and to suggest changes if appropriate that would protect the interest of both mineral estate owners and surface estate owners while ensuring the highest degree of concern for the preservation of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare. The changes include procedural, plan submittal, and operational modifications.

Southlake has a moratorium on drilling applications in effect until mid-November. If the revised ordinance is approved at the first reading, the second reading of the ordinance and public hearing is currently scheduled for October 18, 2011 before the moratorium expires.

For more information on gas drilling in the City of Southlake, please visit http://www.cityofsouthlake.com/gasdrillinginsouthlake 

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