Arlington council rejects Chesapeake drilling site in Rush Creek area

On February 1, 2012 — No comments

After city leaders twice rejected their proposed Rush Creek drill site in southwest Arlington, Chesapeake Energy officials said it is unlikely that they will find an acceptable site where all 2,600 lease-holders can earn royalties.

After a lengthy public hearing Tuesday, the Arlington City Council voted 7-1 to deny Chesapeake’s request for a special-use permit to drill at the southwest corner of South Bowen and West Bardin roads. The council also rejected the company’s second request since 2010 to rezone the 55-acre site to office use from planned development, which doesn’t allow drilling.

Chesapeake, which spent more than $20 million on lease bonuses in the area, had planned to drill 22 wells on 4.4 acres. Chesapeake officials say the council’s denial was a “major blow” not only to the company but also to the property owners who hoped to earn royalties on their mineral rights.

Flood plain, engineering and lease restrictions limit feasible pad sites, the company told council members.

“If we had been able to find an alternate, we would not have brought this site back for consideration. Sadly, there is no other single location that can fully develop the minerals in this area,” Julie Wilson, Chesapeake’s vice president of urban development, wrote in a statement.

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