WS Item 3CCity of Southlake, Texas
MEMORANDUM
September 26, 2007
To: Shana Yelverton, City Manager
From: Ken Baker, AICP, Planning & Development Services Director
Subject: Ordinance 880-A, Work Session, Amend Section 9.5, Article IV,
of the Southlake City Code regarding Gas and Oil Drilling and
Production
Action
Requested: None — Work Session item.
Background
Information: The city adopted Ordinance 880 (Gas & Oil Well Drilling and
Production) in 2004. The city is updating the requirements of this
ordinance to ensure that drilling activity adheres to the latest best
management practices and procedures. This item was tabled at
City Councils September 18t meeting.
Attached are 3 copies of proposed ordinance 880-A.
• Attachment A is an underline/strike out version which
indicates the proposed changes to Ordinance 880 adopted
in 2004.
• Attachment B is a clean version of the proposed Ordinance
880-A with the underlines and strike outs deleted.
• Attachment C is Council Member Carolyn Morris'
recommended changes to Attachment A- the ordinance sent
to City Council for the September 18th meeting.
Also, staff has attached a copy of the city's road repair agreement
(See Attachment D).
Major changes to the ordinance include:
• The oil and gas permit will be issued by the Director of
Planning and Development Services.
• Increase the gas and oil drilling permit fee from $7,500 to
$15,000.
• Require $5,000 for a gas and oil SUP fee.
• Increase drill sites distances to residential structures from
500 to 1,000 feet.
• Increase drill site distances from a public building, hospital,
institution and school day care center from 1,000 to 1,500
feet.
• Requiring screening to adhere to SUP standards.
• Prohibit the venting or flaring of gas and oil wells.
• Require that flow lines be equipped with a both high/low
pressure shut-off valve.
• Prohibit Gathering Stations.
• Establish noise enforcement procedures.
• Permit only electric motors.
• Requiring a final inspection of the abandoned well site.
• Require compliance with the Tree Preservation Ordinance.
• Require a closed loop system to be used to extract and hold
salt water.
• Establish a variance process.
• Establish regulations for the installation of pipelines.
• Clarify roads that can be utilized to access the drill site.
This item will be considered in conjunction with ordinance 480-
RRR, Amendment of the Southlake Zoning Ordinance regarding
Oil & Gas production and Resolution No. 07-056, Amendment of
the City's Master Plan as it pertains to Oil and Gas Drilling and
Production (second reading only).
P&Z Action: None — Ordinance 880-A is a section of the City Code and does
not require a P&Z Commission recommendation.
Legal Review: Yes
Supporting
Documents: Attachment A — Proposed Ordinance 880-A (strike out/underline
version)
Attachment B — Proposed Ordinance 880 — clean version
Attachment C - Council Member Carolyn Morris' proposed
changes.
Attachment D — Road Repair Agreement