Some Wilkins residents are concerned about potential property damage as the township considers a draft ordinance to control potential drilling for natural gas in the township.

About 20 people attended a Sept. 30 township planning commission meeting where the proposed ordinance was up for discussion. Changes to the ordinance were developed by the township’s administration and solicitor after EQT Corp. expressed interest in drilling in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs.

Resident Gary Fedder questioned whether the township could limit drilling and/or fracking in areas that have been mined and may be unstable.

Joan Breman stated she lives over a former coal mine and is concerned about fracking. She cautioned the board, saying there are many different fracking companies and some are more responsible than others.

“There are still a lot of open-ended types of questions,” Wilkins’ manager Rebecca Bradley said.

The draft ordinance states that drilling may be permitted as a conditional use in the township’s manufacturing zoning district, which is located along the eastern portion of the township near Monroeville. Another portion of the M-1 district is near Rodi Road.

The ordinance also states that all drilling operations including but not limited to derricks, pumps, compressors, storage tanks, vehicle parking, structure, machinery, temporary housing, ponds, pits and ancillary equipment be located no less than 600 feet from any protected structure such as a house or school and no less than 200 feet from the nearest property line.

It also calls for safeguards pertaining to the township’s roadways and regulates noise, lighting and air quality.

The planning commission was set to meet again Wednesday to further discuss the ordinance and possibly vote on whether to recommend it for adoption by the board of commissioners at the Oct. 12 meeting.

Deana Carpenter, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.

First Published: October 9, 2015, 4:00 a.m.