BUTLER TWP — If proposed changes to the township’s zoning rules are approved, drilling for gas and oil would become a conditional use in certain zoning districts allowable only after a hearing by the township commissioners.

The proposed changes were unveiled Tuesday night to the township planning commission by consultant Richard Grossman of Grove City and township zoning officer Jesse Hines.

Hines told the planning commission that the township is revisiting the issue because parts of Act 13, which said gas and oil development could not be regulated by local zoning rules, have been repealed.

Hines, Grossman, a legal counsel and an advisory panel developed the proposed changes, which still must receive the commissioners’ approval. The planning commission is recommending approval.

In the plan, wells would be allowable as a conditional use in 15-acre properties zoned agricultural and manufacturing as well as 100-acre lots zoned multifamily residential. The agricultural and manufacturing properties would need a property set back of 300 feet. Residential properties would need a setback of 750 feet, and a 1,000-foot buffer from any other building.

To gain the conditional use approval, the commissioners would be able to impose a set of individual safeguards to each plan. Processing stations or compressor stations would become special exceptions to the zoning rules requiring hearings and approval by the township’s zoning hearing board.

About a dozen residents attended the planning commission meeting, and a handful of them — including Joseph McMurry of the citizen’s group called Section 27 — spoke. Most said they opposed drilling in residential areas.

However, Grossman advised the planning commission that ruling out drilling on all residential properties in the township likely would not comply with state laws that mandate municipalities provide for reasonable development of minerals.

Under the proposed changes, a handful of properties would be eligible to become drilling sites, including the Krendale Golf Course on North Eberhart Road.

Already, Rex Energy has approved plans to put a well at the golf course, and it has been highly criticized by residents, who claim the site is too close to many homes, businesses and schools.

Had the rules been in place when Rex Energy was seeking approval, Hines said, the well’s location would have been on a different site on the property.

The proposed zoning changes, which also include tweaks to the township’s conditional use procedures as well as various other zoning rules, will be in front of the commissioners no sooner than April, Hines said.