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Burleson residents will soon be met with changes taking place in their own backyards.
The Burleson City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Thursday night to amend city code affecting fences and buffer zones. City staff will make changes to the ordinance, and planning official Stephen Cook said the details will be ironed out in the next several months. Among other plans, Cook hopes to raise to the maximum fence height permitted from seven feet to eight feet.
The council will also discuss fencing issues pertaining to drilling sites and buffer zones between commercial and residential land.
The council approved Chesapeake Energy’s request for two gas-well drilling permits, one located at 2225 S.W. Wilshire Blvd. and one known as the Billy Davenport Unit, located about 3,000 feet north of the intersection at County Road 913 and Farm-to-Market Road 1902.
Although the Wilshire wellhead meets city guidelines because no residentially platted lots or structures are within 500 feet of the drill site, nine residentially platted lots are within 1,000 feet of the wellhead. The site will be accessed using an existing private lease road already used to access another pad site. The transportation route runs from Interstate 35W to Texas 174 and then the private lease road.
Several council members agreed that because truck traffic will affect residents living along that route for years to come, those living along the path should be notified about drilling decisions.
"We send notices to people within 1,000 feet [of the drill site], but that means people along the access route never get notice," said Mayor Ken Shetter. "I think we need to think about sending out notices to people living some distance from the access road, too."
Council members agreed that because some drilling operators have not been maintaining their pad sites to control dust, a dust-remediation plan should be added to the agreement.
Resident Scott Hutto approached the council about the the Billy Davenport Unit and requested the pad site be moved. Hutto lives about 750 feet from the site and voiced safety concerns.
"My only comfort to you is that we have stricter rules [than those of the state], the rules for our gates are stricter, and our inspector will be out there to make sure all state laws are followed," Councilwoman Claudia Humphreys said to Hutto.
The city council also approved an agreement with Fort Worth to disannex 70 acres just north of County Road 1016. The benefits of adjusting boundaries between the two cities have been discussed for some time because officials from both cities wanted to apportion their municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction to promote understanding and development.
"This will be in the best interest of both cities long term," Deputy City Manager Paul Cain said.
Councilman Matt Powell said he appreciated the ease with which the cities were able to negotiate.
"It’s nice to know we can get along with our neighbors because it makes all the sense in the world," he said.
The city council also:
— Authorized the addition of another clerk in the Burleson Municipal Court.
— Awarded the contract for the first phase of preparation for a comprehensive plan for the city. The contract sets forth a process to examine the development goals of the city.
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