At a council meeting in North Braddock, Pa., with more than 100 residents in attendance, an ordinance was approved to keep the property zoned as residential, restricting its ability to drill for oil and gas.
More than 100 people filled a small municipal building for the North Braddock, Pa., council meeting Monday night to protest possible drilling at the nearby Grandview Golf Course, Pittsburgh-based KDKA TV reported.
Mayor Thomas Whyel said he’s never seen so many people at the meeting. The council voted to approve an ordinance that keeps the golf course listed as residential property, restricting the ability to drill for oil and gas on the golf course, KDKA reported.
“I’m totally impressed with the outpouring of support for this ordinance, it makes me feel good as a borough mayor to see our residents care that much about us, about their environment,” said Whyel.
Supporters pushed for the ordinance after drilling for gas under the golf course became an option, KDKA reported.
“We don’t want it and just because we’re not a rich and wealthy neighborhood, it’s not fair, it’s not right and if you want to frack by my house, then I’ll leave today,” said one woman at the meeting.
However, Grandview golf course owner Bob Beam said he has many supporters, KDKA reported.
“I knock on doors and I explain to them what I’m doing and I would say 95 to 98 percent of the people I spoke to were in agreement,” Beam said.
Beam’s attorney, Joseph Morascyzk, said some of the people who live near the golf course have already signed commitments to drill. If the drilling is approved, Beam said the golf course would remain open during the drilling, with most of the drilling being done in the winter months, KDKA reported.
And Whyel doesn’t think this fight is over yet. “I don’t believe it’s totally done, just because of the impact and influence of the marcellus shale industry.”
C&RB reported on the controversial plan last week (“Grandview GC Considers Drilling on Property“).
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