BUTLER TWP — It will be no sooner than mid-July before the township commissioners decide if the township’s zoning rules for drilling for gas and oil will be changed.

The commissioners last month tabled a decision after hearing opinions on the topic during a public hearing. And on Monday night the commissioners said they needed more input and review. Additionally, some of the commissioners have pending vacations that would prevent them from attending a vote if it were held in coming weeks.

Under the township proposal, wells would be allowed as a conditional use on 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 setback of 300 feet. Residential properties would need a setback of 750 feet, and a 1,000-foot buffer from any other building.

Part of the proposed conditional use approval process would give the commissioners the ability to impose a set of individual safeguards to each plan.

Processing stations or compressor stations would become special exceptions to the zoning rules and require hearings and approval by the township zoning hearing board.

Among the items that township manager Ed Kirkwood suggested needed further investigation was a map that consultant Richard Grossman of Grove City and township zoning officer Jesse Hines said outlines where wells would be permissible and how property owners still could have access to the gas under their property if the changes were passed.

The map uses what officials called a “wagon wheel” methodology to define access. But an attorney representing a drilling company argued that the map doesn’t consider geographical and ecological factors and the proposed zoning changes are “de facto exclusionary.”

The commissioners on Monday gave Kirkwood permission to find an independent consultant to advise the board on which methodology is appropriate. That expert, Kirkwood said, will either speak at a meeting or give a report to be presented at a meeting.

The commissioners said they felt torn by this issue because residents have different opinions, and some residents appear to be finding fault with each of the board’s actions.

“It seems like we can’t do anything right,” said Commissioner Sam Zurzolo.