At 6:30 p.m. Monday, the Butler Township Commissioners will hold a public hearing for proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance that governs gas and oil drilling. The proposed zoning change will prohibit gas drilling in R-1 (Single-family Residential), C-1 (General Commercial) and C-2 (Convenience Commercial) zones.

It will allow drilling as a conditional use in R-2 (Multi-family Residential) if the property is 100 acres or more and the well pad is 750 feet from R-1 property lines and 1,000 feet from any building. Only two properties within the township meet these requirements: Krendale Golf Course and Butler County Community College.

Gas drilling is also a conditional use in A-1 (Agricultural) and M (Manufacturing) zones if the property is 15 acres or more and is 750 feet from an R-1 property line and 500 feet from any building. Compressor stations, processing plants and other facilities are special exceptions in A-1 and M zones and are not permitted in the other four zones.

Though there are many good things about this ordinance, there is one item that I take issue with. I do not believe drilling is appropriate in any residential zone. I oppose drilling in an R-2 zone, regardless of minimum acreage and setbacks. Nowhere on the Krendale or BC3 property is there an acceptable location. I urge the commissioners to remove this section, and to prohibit drilling outright in R-2 zones.