Title
Ordinance directing the Allegheny County Board of Elections to place before the qualified voters of the City of Pittsburgh a
referendum question as to whether or not said voters are in favor amending the Home Rule Charter to provide to add a Community Bill of Rights which bans commercial natural gas extraction within the City, as the City Council has adopted previously.
Body
Whereas, on November 16, 2011, City Council of the City of Pittsburgh enacted an Ordinace that provides for a Bill of Rights pertaining to our natural environment and it preservation for generations to come; and
Whereas, the Council acted in the face of clear adverse impacts from gas extraction operations within the city that threaten the health, welfare and safety of the residents; and,
Whereas, the Council, based upon their due diligence, found that these adverse impacts pose a significant threat to our air, water and other natural resources; and,
Whereas, the Council also found significant adverse impacts to property values, additional costs to and diversions of public safety assets as well as unacceptable risks to public safety personnel. The Council also recognized the adverse impacts to property values within all zoning districts of the city and increased wear and tear in existing infrastructure.
Whereas, given the significance of this matter and by the desire of citizens to take direct action in its affairs of local governance, the Council, in response, does hereby enact an Ordinace to allow the voters of the City of Pittsburgh to speak directly by providing an opportunity to amend the Home Rule Charter to incorporate a Community Bill of Rights which bans commercial natural gas extraction within the City
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Directing the Allegheny County Board of Elections to place before the qualified voters Of the City of Pittsburgh at the next Municipal Election, November 8, 2011, the following
referendum que...
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