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After 4-hours, gas meeting to continue Dec. 29

MIDDLESEX TWP — More than 150 residents packed the township fire hall Tuesday night to hear testimony on the possible repeal of an amendment to the zoning ordinance passed in August by the township supervisors.

After four hours, the hearing was continued until Dec. 29.

The zoning hearing was necessitated by a challenge to the amendment, which determines where gas and oil extraction and processing operations can take place in the township.

Two Philadelphia area environmental groups plus four township residents challenged the amendment, which caused the ceasing of shale gas operations at the Denny Road farm of Bob and Kim Geyer.

Five Marcellus shale gas wells are planned for the Geyer farm by Rex Energy.

The challengers to the township’s zoning ordinance maintain that unconventional gas drilling in the township’s residential-agricultural zone, where the Geyer farm is, should not be allowed.

The opponents say amendment does not allow for a balance of land use. Also it violates the state constitution by denying residents’ rights to a healthy environment.

The amendment supports say it is “flexible”and allows landowners to do what they want to do with their land.

The zoning board announced that the hearing would be continued at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at the fire hall.

No public comment was taken Tuesday night.

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