YOU are invited

Please share with others that the City Council on Nov. 10th is scheduled to take up drilling in Urban Villages.

It's not just Carter Avenue. Last night the Chadwick neighborhood spoke out concerning the four additional wells the gas drillers want to put 300 ft from homes. And read on for information about Ridglea Village.

Welcome to Fort Worth. Come down to City Hall November 10th and take back your city.

From: Doreen Geiger
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 7:39 PM
To: District3; Alanis, Susan
Subject: Drilling in F.W. Urban Villages

Dear Councilman Zimmerman and Ms. Alanis,

Ms. Alanis,

I tried to send a video clip to you about possible drilling in Berry/Riverside Village (hope I sent it correctly). One of many reasons I am so worried about drilling within Fort Worth is because the City Council has given permission for drilling in areas that do not meet the minimum requirements approved by the City. It is sad the City Council would approve 10 wells to be drilled on the Aussie site in the 7th St./University Village area even when 13 of the 22 residents living within 600 ft. of the site would not sign waivers.

When City Planners met with Ridglea residents a few years ago, all of the drawings the City staff presented showed a 20 acre area on Westridge Ave (just south of Ridglea Presbyterian Church) to be a part of the Ridglea Village and to become town homes. The developer who had purchased the 20 acres plus dozens of other acres on Waverly Way was present at the meeting.

I suppose due to the slower economy, the developer could not get his Westridge Ave. projects started and sold the property to Chesapeake. This Ridglea Village area which was supposed to be higher density residential skirting the retail/commercial section looks like it will probably become a drill site instead. It seems a successful Urban Village should include retail, commercial, residential, green park space, public transportation and pedestrian walkways/benches but I can not see how drilling sites should be a part of the Village concept?

Councilman Zimmerman and Ms. Alanis, will you please advocate for drill-free Urban Villages?

Thank you,
Doreen Geiger

The Oct. 30th Star-Telegram article “Bankruptcy Judge Approves Ridglea Sale” by Sandra Baker 817-390-7727 states that:

Doug King, Maulsby’s trustee, said last month that an unnamed buyer had offered $1.75 million for the west-side landmark, which also includes an adjoining two-story office and retail bldg.

On Thurs., that buyer was identified as Pergamos, a partnership headed by Mark Kalpakis, CEO of Joint Resources Co., a Fort Worth oil and gas exploration company.

Joseph Friedman, an attorney representing Pergamos, upped the offer to $1.85 million Thursday. But FixFunding, which had a right of first refusal on the property, matched the Pergamos offer and took the property back.

From: Alanis, Susan
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 8:03 AM

To: 'Doreen Geiger'; District3

Cc: Trice, Rick

Subject: RE: Drilling in F.W. Urban Villages

Ms. Geiger:

Thanks again for all of the helpful information you have provided on these sites. I did see the story on Berry/Riverside. We are currently working with Chesapeake to identify alternatives to that site. In addition, the Urban Village amendment to the gas ordinance will be up for reconsideration at the City Council’s meeting on November 10th. Thanks for your support on the effort.

Regards,
Susan Alanis
Director of Planning and Development
City of Fort Worth 817.392.8180