New drilling ordinance labeled a compromise

the 1,000-foot setback unfairly restricted the number of potential drilling sites, making the ordinance a target to be legally challenged as exclusionary.

A divided council continued to struggle this spring to agree on a final setback distance, considering an 800foot setback and a 750-foot setback.

“When we started this seven years ago, I said this would be the most difficult land use issue we would ever face,” chief administrator Jim Morrison told council. “It requires compromises on both sides. We have made a concertedeffort to listen and learn in a detailed and fair manner. What we have is a balanced approach to a complex land useissue.”

Councilman Joshua Lorenz said, “It comes down to rights. We have done our best to accommodate competing rights. … it is a significant improvement over what is on thebooks.”

The vote to approve the ordinance was 6-1, with Councilman John Perry opposed.

“My concern is that it doesn’t go far enough,” he said. “After 30 years as an environmental consultant, I know you have to look at what-ifs and be protective of those worst case scenarios. You have to be more protective of human life.”

In action related to the new ordinance, council voted unanimously to repost and readvertise pending revisions to the municipal subdivision and land development ordinance.