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1954 03 17 CC Minutes, Special647 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS March 17, 1954 The City Council of the City of Baytown met in special session on Wednesday, March 17, 1954 at 10:00 a. m. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: C. D. Middleton City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk Absent: R. R. B. Bergeron Councilman Well - Spacing Hearing The Mayor called the meeting to orderand opened the hearing by stating the reasons for the special Well- Spacing Hearing. He explained that should the council decide to order the writing of such an ordinance for study and possible passage, the entire city would be included in such an ordinance. He asked that each spokesman give his name and address in addressing the Council in order to acquaint the Council with the section of the city represented by the interested party. The greater representation was from Wynnewood and Harper Additions. The Mayor explained that to make an ordinance fair and equitable to all, it would have to be based on acreage or square feet, rather than a certain number of city lots/%Rch subdivision has different size lots. A rep- resentative from the Humble Company pointed out that a spacing ordinance should require different types due to the structure, however, he felt that the Company would favor such an ordinance if it would insure proper development of oil in the city. Attorney Bonnette, representing the Oak Oil Corp., asked to read his statement urgiM the adoption of such an ordinance but time would not allow such a lengthy discourse. It was evident that the majority of the people present favored same type well spacing ordinance. The meeting recessed at 12:00 noon. Re- Convened Five O'Clock P. M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pruett. Upon the request of E. H. Adlong, he reviewed the discussion entered into at the morning meeting. Approximately seventy - five residents were present at the evening hearing, the greater part being from Wynnewood and Harper Additions. Several residents made statements showing their approval of well spacing, however, some did not favor any type of drilling in their section as they were interested in the area as residential only. The Mayor suggested that an ordinance be prepared setting the size of a unit in order to prevent lot -toy -lot drilling, but set no specific dimensions for the pool. This would permit an oil company and the residents of any area to set up their own boundaries with certain limitations. He also suggested that separate arrangements be stipulated for shallow and deep wells. This was suggested because Baytown now has different depth wells and this would allow a shallow and deep well in one pool, however, it would be limited to one of each type. Attorney Bonnette, representing the Oak Oil Corp., suggested that the Council sklect a committee, including competent geologists, to study the area, obtain information pertinent to the spacing of oil wells, and make recommendations to the Council as to the size of units, etc., to be specified in an ordinance. By so doing the Council would have proper information, as to the types of structure in Baytown, before a unit size is approved. At the conclusion of the hearing, a straw vote was taken, and the rmajority favored well spacing or pooling. , Adjournment Councilman Lusk moved that motion. The ayes were unanimous the meeting adjourn . Councilman Reeves seconded the and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. . H. Fruett , "Mayor ATTEST: Edna Oliver, ulty Clerk R. H. Pruett - Mayor W. E. Lawless Councilman M. L. _ Campbell Councilman rLacy Lusk Councilman W. D. Reeves Councilman !1 H. M. Campbell Councilman C. D. Middleton City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk Absent: R. R. B. Bergeron Councilman Well - Spacing Hearing The Mayor called the meeting to orderand opened the hearing by stating the reasons for the special Well- Spacing Hearing. He explained that should the council decide to order the writing of such an ordinance for study and possible passage, the entire city would be included in such an ordinance. He asked that each spokesman give his name and address in addressing the Council in order to acquaint the Council with the section of the city represented by the interested party. The greater representation was from Wynnewood and Harper Additions. The Mayor explained that to make an ordinance fair and equitable to all, it would have to be based on acreage or square feet, rather than a certain number of city lots/%Rch subdivision has different size lots. A rep- resentative from the Humble Company pointed out that a spacing ordinance should require different types due to the structure, however, he felt that the Company would favor such an ordinance if it would insure proper development of oil in the city. Attorney Bonnette, representing the Oak Oil Corp., asked to read his statement urgiM the adoption of such an ordinance but time would not allow such a lengthy discourse. It was evident that the majority of the people present favored same type well spacing ordinance. The meeting recessed at 12:00 noon. Re- Convened Five O'Clock P. M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pruett. Upon the request of E. H. Adlong, he reviewed the discussion entered into at the morning meeting. Approximately seventy - five residents were present at the evening hearing, the greater part being from Wynnewood and Harper Additions. Several residents made statements showing their approval of well spacing, however, some did not favor any type of drilling in their section as they were interested in the area as residential only. The Mayor suggested that an ordinance be prepared setting the size of a unit in order to prevent lot -toy -lot drilling, but set no specific dimensions for the pool. This would permit an oil company and the residents of any area to set up their own boundaries with certain limitations. He also suggested that separate arrangements be stipulated for shallow and deep wells. This was suggested because Baytown now has different depth wells and this would allow a shallow and deep well in one pool, however, it would be limited to one of each type. Attorney Bonnette, representing the Oak Oil Corp., suggested that the Council sklect a committee, including competent geologists, to study the area, obtain information pertinent to the spacing of oil wells, and make recommendations to the Council as to the size of units, etc., to be specified in an ordinance. By so doing the Council would have proper information, as to the types of structure in Baytown, before a unit size is approved. At the conclusion of the hearing, a straw vote was taken, and the rmajority favored well spacing or pooling. , Adjournment Councilman Lusk moved that motion. The ayes were unanimous the meeting adjourn . Councilman Reeves seconded the and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. . H. Fruett , "Mayor ATTEST: Edna Oliver, ulty Clerk