August 10, 2008

WEST MEADOWBROOK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION POSITION PAPER ON CARTER AVENUE PIPELINE

As a neighborhood association representing over 200 members, the West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association is in strong opposition to the proposed pipeline running under residential property on Carter Avenue or any neighborhood street.  Further, we strongly object to the use of any residential street by large vehicles which will be used in drilling operations.

As a neighborhood association, we support a moratorium on any further drilling permits until we as a city have formulated a comprehensive plan for the drilling industry and the problems attendant with that industry.  We support the dissolution of the current Drilling Task Force and the formulation of a Gas Commission patterned after the City Zoning Commission.  The commission should be comprised of nine members, one from each council district, and be held to the same rules of procedure as other citizen boards and commissions.  Public hearings, discussion about site and pipeline access, impact and location and zoning should be considered by the commission prior to permitting.

We encourage the city to develop a supporting department to assist the commission in reviewing all aspects of mineral extraction that affect our neighborhoods.

We are adamantly against the use of Eminent Domain for private enterprise and consider what is occurring on Carter Avenue a “taking”.  Once the easement is created on the Carter Avenue property that property has been rendered useless for further development.

We support the League of Neighborhoods position on this issue.

Officers

Donald Boren, President
Tonya Ferguson, Secretary
Diann Davis, Treasurer

Directors

Wanda Conlin
Mary Dellis
Gigi Goesling
Louis McBee
Mike Phipps
Kyle Poland
Gayle Wood