2009_04.16 PZ Minutes1007
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
APRIL 16, 2009
KENNEDALE MUNICIPAL BUILDING,
405 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
REGULAR MEETING, 7:00 P.M.
Due to technical difficulties, most of the meeting wa s not recorded. Minutes for this meeting come, for the
most part, from the Planner’s notes.
With a quorum, Chairman Hunn called the mee ting to order at approximately 7:01 pm.
Members present: David Hunn (Chairman), Ernest Harv ey (Vice-Chairman), Lori Bryan, Ray Cowan,
Frank Fernandez, Charles Overstreet, and Billy Simpson.
Members Absent: Lana Sather
Staff present: James E. Cowey (Building Official), Glenn Greenwood (Code Enforcement Officer), and
Rachel Roberts (Planner and Commission Secretary).
I. VISITORS/CITIZENS FORUM
At the start of the meeting, City Manager Bob Hart introduced Rachel Roberts to the Commission. Ms.
Roberts is the new planner for the City of Kennedale.
No visitors wished to speak.
II. WORK SESSION: DEVELOPMENT NEAR OIL & GAS WELLS
Mr. Harvey, Mr. Fernandez, and Mr . Simpson gave an overview of their visit to Chesapeake drilling and
production sites. Following their co mments, the Commission, with sta ff input, discussed the items listed
on the Staff Report for Agenda Item II. Topics discussed included sound barriers, appearance of drilling /
well sites, and safety. The intent of the discussion w as to review and revise as needed the current city
codes regulating oil and gas drilling and we lls within the City of Kennedale.
Commissioners expressed concern for what will happen at well sites in the future in terms of land use
planning, as the wells are permanent fixtures and can affect development in the city from now on. In
addition, several commissioners recommended adding cl auses to the ordinance to set minimum standards
that companies must follow. They noted that the Commission cannot assume that all oil and gas
companies will follow the highest standards available.
During the discussion, city staff were asked to research ordinances and standards used in other cities that
Kennedale might want to consider for use in its ordinance.
III. WORK SESSION: ITEMS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION
Due to the length of the discussion for Agenda Item II, the Commission agreed to postpone discussion of
items under Agenda Item III. The Commission agreed to commence the next meeting an hour earlier than
1008
usual in order to ensure that it had time to di scuss these items. The Commission also agreed that
additional meetings would be called as needed to work through the items under Agenda Item III.
IV. STAFF REPORTS
(a) Update on Strategic Planning Process
Ms. Roberts reported on the recent Strategic Planning retreat. She noted that several of the items under
Agenda Item III were discussed at the retreat and that she has already begun work on those items.
(b) Membership Update
Three of the Commission members are up for re-appoi ntment, and one alternate position is open. The
members to be re-appointed are David Hunn, Ray Cowan, and Billy Simpson; each member stated that he
is still willing to continue serving on the Commission.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before th e Commission, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________
David Hunn, Chairman
Planning & Zoning Commission
ATTEST:
__________________________
Rachel Roberts
Planner, Planning & Zoning Secretary