Warren officials have reached what appears to be an equitable solution with a developer who wants to pursue oil and gas drilling on a parcel that includes what is now a Days Inn on Ludlow Street.

The parcel was formerly zoned commercial except for two-tenths of an acre that was zoned for industrial use until 2024, when new zoning maps were created. At that time, the two-tenths of an acre on the hotel property was rezoned commercial – but the new zoning maps didn’t reflect the change.

So when John Branch decided he wanted to pursue oil and gas drilling, he was under the impression it was an allowed use according to the city’s own zoning map.

At that point city staff brought the issue to the City Council and it was decided to send a letter saying oil and gas drilling wasn’t allowed in an area zoned commercial. Branch sued, and the city reached an agreement that allows Branch to pursue oil and gas drilling on the two-tenths of an acre that was incorrectly not changed on the city’s zoning map. A judge still has to approve the settlement between Branch and the city, but judges typically follow negotiated settlements to lawsuits, and it’s expected that will happen in this case.

Wendy McCain, Warren City Council member, wanted to table the agreement until the next City Council meeting to allow the public more time to research the issue. We’re not sure that would have done any good. If this case goes to trial, it appears the city would have lost – or it wouldn’t have agreed to a settlement in the first place.

There are some who won’t like the idea of drilling on the property. We hope the state Department of Environmental Protection provides some buffers to the general public as it evaluates permits for the project.

But the city of Warren didn’t have much choice in the matter. It was better for the city to cut its losses and reach an agreement with Branch rather than spend more money and city resources in court on a case it was likely to lose in the end.