Politics & Government

Residents on Whitney, Webster to Drill for Oil, Gas in their Yards

Properties near corner join to look for underground resources

A North Canton oil and gas well driller has filed an application with the state to drill on at least three properties near the corner of Whitney and Webster roads.

Assistant Law Director Dan Kolick said the land owners at the northwest corner have joined their properties to create a 22.5-acre parcel for an oil/gas well.

M&M Royalty is seeking permission to drill there.

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The properties are at 9716 Webster Road, 15017 Whitney Road and 15273 Whitney Road, Kolick said.

The city will have little to say about the project. Oil and gas wells are regulated almost entirely by the state, Law Director Ken Kraus said.

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"The city can participate in the pre-site inspection process, where our fire department can look for safety issues," Kraus said.

Council President Mike Daymut said he plans to be there for the inspection, although he laments that the city's hands are tied in drilling matters.

"We have no control over these things," he said.

He said neighbors within 500 feet of the drill site are notified of the plans.

None have called him to complain about the potential oil or gas wells, but Daymut said one adjacent homeowner who is not part of the drill site told him M & M is planning to take some of his property -- and compensate him at a later time -- to make up the required 350-foot setback.

"Apparently, there's something in the state law that allows them to do this," Daymut said.

Kraus said there have been "a handful" of applications for drilling in Strongsville in recent years. Would-be drillers have to provide at least 20 contiguous acres for an oil or gas well.

In neighboring North Royalton, there have been a number of gas wells drilled, including one on city-owned land used as soccer fields.


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