The Foster Township Planning Commission threw the ball into the
supervisors’ court in regards to an amendment in a zoning ordinance
that would allow oil and gas production in residential areas of the
township.

Before the planning commission Tuesday evening was an amendment
recommendation that would add language to zoning ordinance chapter
27 which includes, “Oil and gas production, including pumps, and
storage areas for material necessary to pumping operations; service
companies related to oil and gas production” as a permitted use
under R-2 residence districts.

Pete Gardner, chairman of the planning commission, read from a
letter sent by McKean County Planning Director Debbie Lunden in
reference to a letter she received from township Supervisor
Chairman Robert Slike Jr. about the recommendation.

“(With respect to oil and gas service companies) We are aware of
Olean Road resident complaints and in allowing this, there will be
no chance to regulate if there are expansions or if new ones
develop …

“I suggest a special exception in specific zoning districts …
where the zoning hearing board review applications to make
considerations in the ordinance regarding noise, lighting, paving
or hours of operation,” continued the letter. “It would be better
to have some kind of control over this area … it may be detrimental
to others quality of life.”

Gardner read to the approximately seven residents of the Olean
and Bells Camp Road area information provided within the zoning
ordinance that talks to their procedures and how they should follow
them.

He then read from the ordinance and its current acceptable uses,
leaving in a statement that talks to the reasons the others were
chosen to be accepted in the ordinance.

“To promote a safe and healthful environment for family life,”
Gardner read, adding that allowable uses include single family
dwellings, places of worship, private non-profit accredited
elementary and secondary schools, fire stations with no club, a
private golf course and a nursing or convalescent home.

“The seventh would be allowing the oil and gas production
including pumps and storage areas for material necessary to pumping
operations; service companies related to oil and gas production,”
he added.

In recent months, residents have been attending the supervisors
meetings to voice their concerns about noise, unacceptable
language, muddy roads, dust and discharged silica sand from
Universal Well Services Inc.

Some of those residents attended Tuesday night’s meeting.

Gene Carll of the planning commission board asked aloud, “I
wonder what their intent is with this amendment?”

Resident B.J. Campbell said, “To keep us quiet on Olean
Road!”

Carll responded, “They are only adding what is already
there.”

Several residents of Olean Road agreed and said, “Things that
shouldn’t be there.”

Ralph Skaggs, zoning officer and building code official for the
township, was also present at the meeting and explained how the
need for an amendment came up.

“In reviewing the ordinance, we found that oil production is
only allowed in R-4 and forest slope areas,” said Skaggs adding
that it changed in 1968 with some companies allowed to continue
operating and in 1988 it changed to commercial and if a business
stopped producing oil, it was not allowed to drill anymore after
that.

Resident Bruce Cauvel posed several questions to the board.

“Universal took over the old Kendall shop and now they want to
expand, they already have expanded – without being able to. If you
recommend this, they will expand more,” he said asking why would
they make this exception for a well services company and how could
they allow the heavy industrial usage in that area when they can
locate anywhere in the township.

“A residential area makes no sense to me anyway. You talk about
property values, the noise, mess and pollution – I couldn’t sell my
house now,” he added. “And the hazardous materials issue with
sulfuric acid.”

John Johnson of Bells Camp Road made his plea, giving examples
of all the calls residents have made including those to
supervisors, the police department and the state Environmental
Protection Agency, who all do nothing.

“If I change my oil and let it flow down my driveway I’d be in
trouble, I have a Roadster without a muffler. I get a ticket,” he
said. “But what about them making noise 24/seven?”

Residents and members alike asked Skaggs how noise control is
controlled in the township and Skaggs said it was “not really
stated.”

Other questions posed by residents include how the company was
allowed to expand without the knowledge of the supervisors and
zoning officers in the first place. Nobody had an answer.

Gardner suggested the residents go to the supervisors if they
feel they are not getting any satisfaction or protection from
them.

Chris Works, a member of the planning board, reminded residents
on hand that the wording of any amendment should be such that they
might be able to allow another well services or oil drilling
company in the future in another area.

Planning board members agreed they would not recommend the
amendment to the supervisors, but would add a suggestion of
alternate wording including special exceptions for any future
applications or amendments.

The issue now goes before the supervisors.