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FORT WORTH — City Council members tightened the rules for drilling in areas set aside for high-density development.
Fort Worth has about 15 urban villages, where special zoning is intended to promote walkable neighborhoods with a mix of shops, homes and businesses. Millions of dollars have been spent on sidewalks, streets, lighting and other infrastructure.The amendment to the gas drilling ordinance passed unanimously. It requires a council vote to allow drilling sites or fracturing ponds inside a village. In a compromise, the language was revised to exempt land already owned by gas companies. There’s a gas drilling site on Foch Street, in the urban village that encompasses the area around West Seventh Street and University Drive. It’s not near any of the new development, however.But a drilling site had been proposed in an urban village at East Berry Street and Riverside Drive, which could have interfered with plans for stores and other development. Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks said late Tuesday that a compromise has been reached that won’t affect the development.MIKE LEE, 817-390-7539
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