Item 7CCity of Southlake, Texas
M E M O R A N D U M
September 12, 2007
TO: Shana Yelverton, City Manager
FROM: Ken Baker, AICP, Planning & Development Services Director
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 07 -056 - Proposed amendments to the Consolidated Land Use Plan
to establish policies for natural resource extraction (CP07 -005) (DISCUSSION
ITEM ONLY -NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY CITY COUNCIL)
Action Requested: None
Background: The city revised the Zoning Ordinance and the city codes in 2004 to
address oil and gas drilling and production activities as follows:
1. SUP requirement in the I -2 zoning district and
2. Gas well permit required to meet the technical standards
In conjunction with the changes to the SUP regulations under zoning and
technical standards under the city code, staff is recommending the
establishment of overarching policies on natural resource extraction within
the framework of the city' Comprehensive Plan including standards for
screening and fencing.
Attached with this memo are the proposed Appendix C and C -1 to the
city's Consolidated Land Use Plan Appendix C provides the policies for
reviewing and approving gas drilling and production operations and
Appendix C -1 provides the design standards for gas drilling and
production sites. Please feel free to contact me (817- 748 -8067) if you
have questions about the proposed amendments.
P &Z Action: September 6, 2007; Approved (6 -0)
APPENDIX C
POLICY ON NATURAL RESOURCE EXTRACTION ACTIVITIES
The city of Southlake places a 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 the availability of vast natural gas reserves in the form of the
Barnett Shale have created tremendous economic opportunities for area residents in terms of
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.
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.
2. Natural resource extraction activities should occur in such a manner as to minimize its
impact on surrounding properties, specifically residential uses and reduce conflicts
between mineral development and current and future surface uses.
All extraction activity should be buffered adequately from adjoining uses, including
securing and other fencing to minimize the nuisance impacts of the extraction activity.
4. Any gas drilling activity should minimize impact on the city's natural environment,
specifically identified on the city's Environmental Resource Protection Map. The city
should consider the following in approving any natural resource extraction activity:
o Minimal disturbance of existing vegetation;
o Top soil should be saved and utilized in site reclamation;
o All reasonable and practical measures should be taken to protect any wildlife
habitats and ground water resources;
o Operation should comply with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
The City should encourage cooperation, coordination, and communication between the
surface owner and the mineral owner /operator with respect to any developments of either
the surface or mineral estate.
6 New developments (residential and commercial) should be planned to take into account
current and future gas drilling activity to the extent it can be reasonably anticipated and
vice versa.
7. Gas drilling and production should be conducted in a manner which minimizes
interference with existing surface use and mitigates the impact on future land uses,
including the location of any easements for distribution lines.
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
existed 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. Gas drilling and production sites shall meet all applicable city regulations and ordinances.
APPENDIX C -1
SITE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR
GAS DRILLING & PRODUCTION PAD SITES
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.
Definitions:
High visibility sites: are sites that are adjacent to or visible from major roadways and /or adjacent
development. In addition, these sites have adequate access to water sources for irrigation.
Low visibility sites: are sites that are generally not visible from any major roadways and
adequately screened from adjoining development. In addition, these areas may have limited
access to water sources required for irrigation.
1. Hardscape — surface treatment of the pad:
1. During Drilling — crushed concrete aggregate
2. During Production —
o Dust free aggregate of a decomposed granite material
o Where site disturbance exceeds the fenced areas of the pad, natural 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 —
o High Visibility Areas with available water: Combination masonry and
wrought iron fence having an expanse of no greater than 30' between masonry
features or a solid masonry fence (Renderings to be presented at Meeting).
Fence to be articulated with masonry elements of a minimum of 4' and
maximum of 8'. Wrought iron element to be placed over a low wall of a
minimum of 2' in height. Gate to be 8' high of wrought iron or architectural
metal.
o Low visibility areas: 8' high masonry fence with an 8' high gate of wrought
iron or architectural metal.
3. Landscaping
1. During Production for high visibility sites— 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. When adjacent to existing neighborhoods, all
lighting 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.
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 constructions
entrances and driveways
2. During production, all access drives shall be of an all weather surface meeting
city standards
� 3
.� R LL 4)
L
Of E O N a
U— 0
E �ca
U
�,�53cxs
c '
omz
cOO
o p
+ m �
m� m o a m o
�m 03cv
a
I �
E ) °
r y _
0 §� � oi'rt
Cn O
3.'
o L m
y ` °` t
y s 3 y
CD
3 0
m of m `� p U °
p m .3 a m CC m m U
� Y E
f O K 9
a