HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-03/22/2022-Work Session (3)
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Community Development &
Neighborhood Services
281 North College Ave.
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.221.6750
970.224.6134 - fax
fcgov.com/planning
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 25, 2022
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THRU: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Planning, Development, and Transportation Director
Paul Sizemore, Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director
Rebecca Everette, Planning Manager
FROM: Kelly Smith, Senior Environmental Planner
SUBJECT: March 22, 2022 Work Session Summary - Oil and Gas Development
Attendees
Caryn Champine and Kelly Smith presented a summary of draft regulations for oil and gas
development. All City Councilmembers were present.
Discussion Summary
Staff presented an overview regarding progress on oil and gas regulations including:
x Timeline and progress
x Overview of regulations under development
x Reverse setbacks
x Setback distances proposed in draft regulations
x Next steps in the process
Staff asked for feedback on the general direction of draft regulations, whether existing reverse
setback regulations should be amended and to what degree (which was not part of the original
scope of the project), and if City Council would like staff to return for another Work Session.
Topics discussed include:
x Discussion of project delays and time required to complete the work
x Implications in considering changes to reverse setbacks
x Concerns regarding leaks at the oil field site outside of City limits, including current violation
status and City, County and State engagement in seeking resolution.
Staff heard support for:
x Exploring amendments to current reverse setback regulations, which apply to new buildings
encroaching near existing oil and gas facilities. This includes eliminating the current
exemption to properties separated by roads.
x Opening a discussion regarding purchase of mineral rights
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Next Steps
x Staff will return to Council for another Work Session in the fall to discuss draft regulations,
additional public engagement and draft reverse setback regulations. This will include a
geographic assessment of the cumulative impacts of proposed regulations on existing wells
and available area for new wells.
x Staff will continue developing regulations and determine costs to administer the regulations.
Costs will be provided at the next City Council Work Session.
x Staff will follow up with a memo or at the next City Council Work Session on cost data
related to the purchase of mineral rights, and the process/requirements for operators to
plug and abandon facilities.
x City Attorney’s Office will follow up with an executive session and/or memo to address
questions related to potential takings associated with reverse setbacks.