Item 7A-7B Land UseAC
PPENDIX
PNREA
OLICY ON ATURAL ESOURCE XTRACTION CTIVITIES
The city of Southlake places significant emphasis on the protection of the natural
environment, including tree preservation, protection of ground water resources and air
quality. The city recognizes that the preservation of the natural environment provides a
significant protection of the quality of life our citizens enjoy.
Increased market demand and possibly vast natural gas reserves from the Barnett Shale
have created economic opportunities for some area residents in terms of leases, royalties
and bonus payments. In order to balance the economic upside with environmental
protection, the city has established the following policies to guide regulatory and
approval decisions regarding natural resource extraction activities within the city.
1.Any natural resource extraction activity should demonstrate that the street or
highway facilities providing access to the activity are adequate in functional
classification, width and structural capacity to meet the requirements of the
proposed activity. Also, the operator must ensure that the city will be reimbursed
monetarily for any damages to public assets such as roadways that may be
damaged as a direct result of activities related to natural resource extraction.
2. Natural resource extraction activities, including the installation and operation of
pipelines, should occur in a manner that minimizes its impact on surrounding
properties, specifically residential uses.
3. Activity related to production should be buffered adequately from adjoining uses,
including screening and other fencing that minimizes the nuisance impacts of the
extraction activity.
4. Any natural resource activity should minimize impact on the city’s natural
environment, specifically resources identified on the city’s Environmental
Resource Protection Map. The city will consider the following when evaluating
an application to permit natural resource extraction activity:
Disturbance of existing vegetation;
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Grading of soils;
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Soil and erosion control;
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Wildlife habitats;
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Ground water resources;
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Surface water resources; and
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Federal, state and local regulations.
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5. Companies proposing to operate will conduct educational and informational
meetings between the city, the citizens, and property owners to ensure
cooperation, coordination, and communication.
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6. New developments (residential and commercial) should be planned to take into
account current and future natural resource extraction activity to the extent it can
be reasonably anticipated and vice versa.
7. All drilling and production operations including truck traffic and the location of
any easements for pipe lines should be conducted in a manner which minimizes
the impact on existing surface uses and conducted in a manner that does not
negatively impact future planned land uses, roadways, pathways, sidewalks, open
space areas, and parks. The locations of any easements for pipe lines are to be
along property boundaries.
8.Well sites should be reclaimed and closed by techniques which ensure that the
future use of the property is not impaired because of environmental or safety
problems or the existence of improperly abandoned or located equipment such as
well heads or flowlines. Applicants should specifically address timelines for
drilling, production, and reclamation activity during initial application.
9.Prior to the commencement of any activities related to natural resource extraction,
the owner or operator must obtain all required permits and meet all applicable city
regulations and ordinances. Also, the operator must demonstrate to the city
through written plans and procedures and other information deemed necessary to
demonstrate that the activity can be conducted in a manner that ensures the health,
safety and welfare of the citizens.
10.Application for a Specific Use Permit for drilling should encompass the entire
proposed pad site.
11. Location of equipment associated with wells such as separators and water tanks
should be centralized and apart from the pad site and located in a manner where
truck traffic has minimum impact on adjacent land uses.
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AC-1
PPENDIX
SDSO&
ITE ESIGN TANDARDS FOR IL
GD&PPS
AS RILLING RODUCTION AD ITES
In addition to meeting all city ordinances and regulations
, all pad sites that are in gas
drilling production operation within the city shall meet the following standards for
fencing and buffering.
1.Hardscape – surface treatment of the pad:
1.During Drilling – crushed concrete aggregate.
2.During Production –
Dust free aggregate of a decomposed granite material.
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Where site disturbance exceeds the fenced areas of the pad, natural
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ground cover shall be restored with aggregate of native grass seeding.
2.Fencing:
1.During Drilling – 8’ high chain link fence with all weather fabric in black
or dark green; 8’ high chain link gate.
2. During Production –Masonry or a combination of masonry and wrought
iron with similar characteristics as the rendering illustrated in figure 1.
3.Landscaping:
1.During Production - Vegetative screening as recommended in figure 1.
4.Lighting:
1.All pad sites shall be well lit during drilling and production phases with
fixtures using high-pressure sodium bulbs. Lighting during production
shall meet the city’s lighting ordinance, as amended. Maximum height of
fixtures shall be 25’. Light fixtures shall match those of the adjoining
neighborhoods or development and be approved by City Council. All
lighting must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.
5.Color during production phase:
1.All wrought iron fences and gates shall be painted dark green or black.
2.All equipment on the pad site shall be painted in earth tones limited to
beige, brown, and green.
6.Access roads and driveways
1.During drilling, all access drives shall meet the city’s standards for
construction entrances and driveways.
2.During production, all access drives shall be paved, dust-free and subject
to all applicable city standards and ordinances. Access drives shall be
approved by City Council.
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