No decision yet on proposed drilling site in Weirton
WEIRTON — It will be at least another month until a decision is made concerning a proposal to establish a natural gas drilling operation within the city limits.
The Weirton Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday heard a request from SWN Production Co., also known as Southwestern Energy, for a conditional use permit to allow “mineral extraction” from property located near Park Drive.
After hearing from multiple representatives of the company, as well as city officials and almost a dozen residents, the board opted to continue discussions at its September meeting, noting it needed time to review information presented during Tuesday’s meeting.
Accompanied by legal counsel, Southwester Energy representatives explained their plans for the proposed operation slated for the Brownlee property behind the Rue21 distribution center.
Bob Lane, land manager for Southwestern, noted, while this would be its first location in Weirton, the company has operated 145 similar sites in Brooke County. It would be established on a 300-acre area approximately one-half mile away from Park Drive.
Brian Lance, a site engineer with Civil and Environmental Consultants, explained the access road will be approximately 3,200 feet long, that their geotechnical reports have shown no impact to nearby streams and the company has developed a stormwater management plan, even though it is not required by the state.
“This site complies with all of those requirements. It actually goes above and beyond,” Lance said.
Lane says halo lighting will be used for early stages of the development, with light poles used at the end, both of which, he said, will not cause problems for nearby homes and businesses. The company also will meet with local emergency services to develop response plans.
Others noted the majority of the site will not be visible by residents or businesses, citing the distance and planned vegetation, also presenting traffic and noise studies which they said show little impact on the community.
Officials reminded the board the company must comply with all state regulations in order to operate the wellpad, explaining they are in the process of completing their permitting process.
Utilities Director Butch Mastrantoni pointed that while streams may not be affected by the plans, there is an aquifer, which he said runs near the site, used to provide water to the city’s storage well. The well is one of two main sources of water for the city. Mastrantoni also expressed concerns over a lack of available fire service lines and sanitary service lines to the site.
Former state Sen. Edwin J. Bowman said while he is in favor of development, he has concerns over the proposal, encouraging the Zoning Board members to speak with members of the Brooke County Commission to learn of their experiences with drilling in the county. He referred to recent reports of noise complaints and issues of heavy truck traffic in some areas of the county, as well as accidents involving those trucks.
Barb Barkley, general manager of the Fairfield Inn and Suites, cited existing traffic on Three Springs Drive, saying she questions how vehicles going to the site will not add to current congestion levels.
“We really need to take a close look at this,” she said, adding she lives 2,000 feet from a wellpad and has seen the process of its development and the impact it has on an area.
Hancock County Commissioner Eron Chek spoke in support of the proposal, noting the state brought in more than $159 million in tax revenue in 2018 as a result of natural gas operations, saying Southwestern’s proposal could help Weirton.
“It’s easy to see the impact of that money if you drive around the state,” she said.
Del. Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, who is a member of the House Energy Committee and has 40 years of experience as a hydrogeologist, said while he knows there are concerns over the application, he also feels there is little risk to the area from having the drilling operation in the city.
“The risk is pretty small, but you must address the issues that happen,” Zatezalo said. “This community is going to benefit from all this fracking.”
Resident Joe DiBartolomeo expressed his own concerns, noting air flow from the site to other areas of the city, the possibility of the wellpad being used for future drilling and the potential impact on planned development in the Three Springs Drive area.
“That’s a key area. That’s the future of the city,” he said. “This is not in our best interest as a city.”
Mike Simon, of Park Drive Development LLC, also expressed concern over potential impact to his group’s planned development in the area, explaining their property is adjacent to the proposed well site.
“We take seriously the effects you have on adjacent land owners,” he said.
Mike Paprocki, executive director of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, offered to assist the city and Zoning Board in conducting their own traffic study of the area.
Other residents also spoke, offering concerns over possible health issues.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)
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