So, WHAT's the Big Emergency??
(Note: The above video may not play using some phones ~ so be sure to open the video from your PC or your MAC.)
Dateline June 5, 2012. Arlington, TX
Arlington City Council Meeting 6:30 PM
Interesting. Apparently, this portion of the Agenda (as shown in the above video clip) is a Public Hearing to define the "drill zone" for the "so-called" (Mayor's words) Eden Southwest Drill Site because prior to these Modifications to the *Gas Drilling Ordinance* (XTO's Walter Dueease's words) no operator was required to define the drill zone in their plans. Oops.
After a quick discussion, the Mayor asks about the homes outside 600 feet of the drilling zone. Outside? 600 Feet? Mr. Dueease tells the Mayor that they don't usually count that!! Oh, well. Yes. What? Then the Mayor and Mr. Dueease go back and forth about it for several more rounds! (Be sure to watch it.) The Mayor seems to confuse Mr. Dueease, (we know he confused us) but then neither one of them would acknowledge any confusion whatsoever.
Kind of like when men get lost...you know how that works...they never ask directions!! Yeah, that kind of situation. So, neither one of these two men ever asked the other one to please explain it better ~ the train wreck in full motion right before our eyes, and wow, it's get out the popcorn time!! LOL!!
And for such a serious matter being voted on ~ and it must be because it was designated as an "Emergency" ~ then Councilwoman Sheri Capehart jumps in and asks Mr. Dueease (not to confuse, but "just for clarification purposes"??) if he is alright with doing this First Reading on an Emergency Basis? Mr. Dueease, who seems to have the knack for changing gears quickly and who certainly knows how to be brief and to the point without showing any outward signs of braggadocio, replies succinctly and with firm conviction,
"Yes, Ma'am."
So, after watching all of this, we really do have to ask this important question...and we're serious, too:
"WHO'S on First"?
**Update** You won't want to miss Mr. Dueease's featured role in the Temporary FRAC Pond saga on the Fish Creek Monitor. Click here.
LMAO! Wow. Now I know why I'm hooked on watching the Arlington City Council meetings. They have become as entertaining as the Abbott and Costello re-runs. Very clever. However, we still don't know what's the big emergency...but that's the point of the story, right?
ReplyDeleteGood ol' Walter Dueease. Don't ya know that the whole "who's on first?" routine is part of his sales tactic?? That, and being an arrogant, pen clicking, gum chewing bully! Saw the same show here in Southlake...it's quite entertaining when he gets aggravated, red-faced and stumbles over his sales pitch. Thankfully, two of our councilmembers weren't buying what he was selling..whew!
ReplyDeleteAh, Southlake. The Westchester Gasette admires your town so much. We wrote about your permitting process early on with this journey. Later, telling the operators to "get the frack out of here." That was definitely the ticket.
DeleteThank you for your comment about the infamous Walter Dueease. He sure gets around. :-)
Of course this was one of two "emergency basis" agenda items where the drilling zone needs to be designated (per the new Gas Drilling Ordinance). Just to elaborate, here is a conversation on related changes. Essentially all the padsites will need to have a drilling zone established when new permits come up.
ReplyDelete1) SUP'S (Special Use Permits) granted under the old ordinance still have to come before council for each new gas well permit?
In accordance with Section 5.01A a drilling zone must be established prior to the issuance of a new gas well permit.
Section 5.01 Gas Well Permit Required
“A. Approval of a specific use permit is required before a Gas Well Permit can be obtained from the City. The specific use permit shall establish the location of the drilling zone, and plans for fencing and landscaping. The specific use permit may address reductions in setbacks in accordance with Section 7.01.B.”
2) SUP's granted under the new ordinance need to come before council for a new drilling zone as each new gas well permit request comes up and then once approved (like the two last night) will be administratively approved for future permit requests?
Section 5.03D describes this procedure:
Section 5.03 Gas Well Permit Review Procedure
“D. The Gas Well Permit for the initial well(s) for a drill site must be approved by the City Council. After the initial well(s) are permitted, any future wells proposed for the same site may be approved by the CD&P Director, provided such future wells are to be drilled on and within the approved drilling zone and no deviations from any standards are requested by the Operator. Any wells proposed to be drilled outside the drilling zone will require an amendment to the approved zoning. In addition, the permits may not amend any site conditions established in the approving SUP. The CD&P Director may, at their discretion, submit a gas well permit at any stage to the City Council for approval or review if the Operator for the specific site has been convicted of a total of two (2) or more violations of this Chapter or any combination of this chapter, the Zoning Ordinance or the Fire Code within a twelve- (12) month period.”
3) Future SUP's granted under the new ordinance will only need a drilling zone if there are protected structures within 600 feet? Example the Maharishi...does it have a drilling zone or not need one?
A drilling zone must be established for any new gas well permit, Per Section 5.01A.
The Maharishi Permit was approved with a drilling zone. The Planning and Zoning committee recommended approval of the drilling zone on March 7, 2012. The SUP was voted on and approved by City Council on May 1, 2012,
4) WHO will be administratively approving these wells?
Section 5.03 Gas Well Permit Review Procedure
“D. The Gas Well Permit for the initial well(s) for a drill site must be approved by the City Council. After the initial well(s) are permitted, any future wells proposed for the same site may be approved by the CD&P Director, provided such future wells are to be drilled on and within the approved drilling zone and no deviations from any standards are requested by the Operator.”
5) Under what conditions will this person stop administratively approving?...is it just when violations occur, or when the drillers need to expand the drilling zone, or when more health detriment info becomes available?
Conditions can be found in Section 5.03D.
Collin Gregory
Gas Well Coordinator
Thanks for that explanation that we sorta kinda figured out. But after watching the proceedings, this Westchester Neighbor sure didn't see a very good explanation of it.
DeleteEven after one of the citizens asked for clarification for the benefit of the "public record." We suppose that it's like telling someone how to bake the cake after it's already out of the oven.
That made my eyes cross. WTF?
ReplyDelete