Cecil Pulls Gas & Oil Ordinance Discussion

June 21, 2024 5:00 am

The Cecil Township Planning Commission disappointed approximately 60 residents by pulling an agenda item at the beginning of the meeting. Residents of Lawrence and the Georgetown Estates community came out to have their views heard on a discussion regarding amendments to the township’s Oil and Gas Development ordinance. According to Planning Commission Chairman Jason Krut, Township Supervisors communicated to them that it was their preference to not have the item considered by the commission. When the announcement was made, Cecil Township Assistant Manager Jacque King announced that the planned public hearing on the ordinance on July 1 will be continued and no vote will be taken on the ordinance at the supervisors meeting that night. The Planning Commission did take about an hour of public comment on the ordinance. The main point that residents wished to express was that they would like to have a 2500 foot setback minimum from structures for well pad development in the revised ordinance. Under the current proposal, those communities would be within 1700 feet of two possible proposed pad sites. Township Supervisors Frank Egizio and Darlene Barni attended the meeting. Neither would offer an explanation as to why supervisors did not want the ordinance to be discussed. Supervisors will meet on July 1. It is anticipated that more clarity will be offered on the status of the ordinance at that meeting.