STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Steubenville City Council approved an agreement Monday night to lease the city’s mineral rights for below-surface oil and gas development, while also advancing plans for new economic development zones and discussing upcoming changes to downtown parking.
Council voted 6-1 to approve leasing the city’s mineral rights to Ascent for underground drilling operations.
Supporters of the agreement said horizontal drilling already takes place beneath much of the city and that leasing the city’s mineral rights allows Steubenville to generate additional revenue from activity already occurring underground.
However, the proposal drew opposition from several residents and at least one council member, who questioned whether the financial return outweighs potential environmental and public health concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing.
In addition to the mineral rights agreement, council approved submitting three proposed Opportunity Zones for consideration. If approved, the zones would encompass more than 30 square miles and could help attract future investment and economic development projects throughout the city.
Council also discussed an upcoming downtown parking ordinance that is expected to be released in the near future. Officials are considering options that could include either paid parking or time-limited parking restrictions in an effort to improve parking availability in the downtown business district.
The Downtown Steubenville Business Association has requested to participate in discussions before any ordinance is finalized, noting that parking changes could directly impact local businesses and customers. As of Monday, the organization’s executive director said the association had not yet been contacted regarding the proposal.
Additional details on both the Opportunity Zones and the proposed parking ordinance are expected as city officials continue refining the plans.
