Proposal Would Allow Two Gas Wells in Highland Heights Community Park

city officials are considering legislation to allow two gas wells to be installed in the city's park. The proposal is on the agenda for today's 8 p.m. City Council meeting, but no vote will be taken tonight.

"We will have three full readings, plus two committee of the whole meetings," said Council President Cathy Murphy, adding that the legislation will likely come up for a final vote on March 13. "Absolutely it will not be voted on before that," she said.

The proposal is in response to a $7 million lawsuit filed by Bass Energy on July 18, 2008, after the city tried to back out of a gas well lease that had been signed by Mayor Scott Coleman. A Common Pleas Court judge had ruled that the mayor did not have authority to sign the lease until the city submitted recommendations for potential well sites.

Residents concerned about gas wells in the park formed Love Our Green Space in 2008 and circulated petitions for a charter amendment prohibiting park land from being sold or leased without voter approval. The amendment passed with 73 percent of the vote.

Murphy said residents will have plenty of chances to voice concerns and ask questions.

"We want to ensure there's full transparency and an opportunity for residents to get their questions answered," she said.

A representative from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is being sought to provide insight and answer residents' questions at one of the upcoming meetings.