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Wastewater facility could be allowed through process
By Chris Roark, roarkc@acnpapers.com
The days of having a centralized wastewater collection facility in Flower Mound aren't here yet, but the town's planning and zoning commission Monday showed its support of having one.
The commission unanimously voted to recommend approval to town council an amendment to the town's land development regulations by amending three sections as they relate to gas drilling. Those sections addressed definitions, use classifications and agricultural district specific uses.
Should the council also vote to approve the amendment, it would provide an option for gas companies to request a specific use permit for a centralized wastewater collection facility, which would collect the water through a pipeline system rather than by truck transportation. If it were allowed, it could only be located on property zoned agricultural. And it would also require a specific use permit, which would be granted by the town council in a public hearing, following an approval by the planning and zoning commission.
Supporters say the facility is key for a safer drilling process.
Monday, 24 of those supporters spoke to the commission, urging it to recommend approval of the amendment. Most of them simply said the centralized facility would reduce the amount of truck traffic involved in transporting wastewater used in the hydrolic fracturing, or fracking, process, as well as reduce the number of on-site water storage tanks.
"Shiloh Road is a quiet, two-lane road," said Sherillyn Flick, who was one of several speakers who live off Shiloh Road, an area that would be expected to see a lot of truck traffic with future drilling operations. "It was not built for, nor is it suited for, years of heavy tanker truck traffic. In addition, Shiloh Road is a school bus route with frequent stops to pick up and deliver children. I do not want our children's safety compromised with truck traffic."
Some of the commissioners shared the view on cutting back on truck traffic.
"To me, this provides an alternative for moving water," said commissioner Bryan Webb. "Gas companies, whether it's Williams (the company that has urged the town to allow a centralized facility) or others, are going to have the flexibility to determine the most efficient way to move that water. They will have to decide if it's better to truck it or to use a pipeline. If they want to pipe it out, they have to come to town and get permission."
Other commissioners also liked the idea of another governing body viewing the request. Commissioner Michael Walker said that with the specific use permit being required, P&Z would be involved. Plus, he said, the requirements for obtaining the permit would be similar to those outlined in the oil and gas ordinance, providing another level of protection.
The number of speakers who opposed a centralized facility was far fewer than those who supported it. But some of their arguments included the unknown health risks associated with the wastewater.
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