Residents oppose gas wells
The county zoning hearing board continued a hearing on a use variance petition from Atlas America to drill for natural gas on residentially zoned property in the Star Junction area of Perry Township, but allowed the property owners and a neighbor to voice their opposition to the request. “I am firmly opposed to any variance change to my zoning,” said Thomas G. Rebottini, who owns the 125 acres located along Tony Row Road, but not the gas and mineral rights.
The property is zoned R-1 medium density residential.
His sister, Emma Rebottini, who lives on the property, said she doesn’t want gas wells there because of potential well fires, odor, storm water runoff and contamination of water wells.
Pamela Anderson, who said she lives with her 87-year-old father 300 feet from the well site, said she signed a petition opposing the gas drilling.
“I did sign the petition. That’s all I have to say,” she said.
They were among approximately 40 people who stood up and were sworn in Wednesday when board Chairman Mark Morrison asked who wanted to testify about the well proposal.
However, most agreed to wait until the hearing is reconvened Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. to have their say.
It was continued after attorney Richard Bower, who represented Atlas, said he did not have documents showing that the company owned the gas rights. Under questioning from Bower, Atlas land manager Michael Adams said USX originally owned the rights.
Penneco Oil Co. obtained the rights, but Atlas would drill for the gas under an agreement it has with Penneco Pipeline Co., he said.
Attorney Ralph K. Barclay Jr., who represented those opposed to the well, argued that no documentation was submitted showing that Penneco Pipeline had the authority to lease the rights to Atlas or that Atlas had the lease.
The board agreed to reschedule the hearing after Bower said neither he nor other Atlas representatives there had the needed documentation with them.
The Rebottinis and Anderson were permitted to speak after they said they might not be able to attend the Nov. 10 hearing.
Thomas Rebottini, who said he lives in Perryopolis, said gas wells are not safe and Atlas has had two well fires, surface leaks and equipment accidents at other wells in the past.
He said he has been a coal miner for more than 28 years and believes drilling for gas on his property, which is above abandoned coal mines, could cause cracks in the mine structure and affect nearby residents.
Rebottini said he met with Atlas officials and asked about their safety measures, but got no response.
He said he asked if they would do anything to prevent gas odor from escaping the operation, but didn’t like the answer he received, that “if it smells, just open your windows up and it will leave after a while.”
Emma Rebottini said she was told Atlas would give her gas for free if it was allowed to drill.
“I can’t take free gas and jeopardize the health and welfare of the residents of Star Junction,” she said.
In another matter, the zoning board approved a special exception allowing Dewey L. Stillwagon to expand his personal care home in Point Marion.
The facility is located in the former Point Marion High School on Ontario Street and is zoned R-1, medium-density residential.
Stillwagon said he wants to expand into the former gymnasium to create room for more residents and add two or three more apartments for senior citizens.
It already has room for 37 residents and has 14 apartments rented to seniors.
He said the expansion would add two or three apartments and 11 bedrooms for home residents, but the state Department of Welfare will determine how many more residents it will be allowed to add.
The plans also include exterior renovations to make the building look less institutional and more residential, Stillwagon said.
Point Marion Borough Council President Ted Shaffer and Vice President Alfred Dubois attended the hearing and told the board that the council supports Stillwagon’s plans.
“Everything he’s done up there has been an asset to the borough,” DuBois said.
The board also said it will issue a ruling within 45 days on Earnest J. Miller Jr.’s request for a special exception to build town houses on property he owns behind his business, Miller’s Yamaha on Connellsville Street.
The property is zoned B-1 for business development.
Miller said he wants to build 18 upscale two- and three-bedroom apartments that would rent for $700 to $750 per month over three years. He plans to start with one six-unit building and add two others later.
Project engineer John Over Jr. said Miller intends to subdivide his property into three parcels – one for the bike shop, one for an existing house in the rear and one for the town houses.
Several residents said they opposed the town houses because they believe the development would ruin their residential neighborhood and add to an existing problem with storm-water runoff.
Board solicitor Gretchen Mundorff said the property is already zoned for business, and a hotel was among the types of businesses that could open there without a special exception.
“Every time it rains, it floods back there,” said James Thorpe of James Street.
Board member Leon Evans said the Department of Environmental Protection would study and have to approve storm-water plans.
Other residents expressed concerns about glare from parking lot lights.
Miller agreed to plant trees to create a buffer zone between the town houses and the homes.