Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS : CITIES : Oil Company to Delay Drilling Plan

Worried about the prospect of up to 60 new oil wells in their midst, Huntington Beach residents got a reprieve when Angus Petroleum withdrew a controversial, $25-million drilling plan.

In his letter to the city, Angus Vice President John C. Carmichael said that “as a result of citizen input” the company was “incorporating major changes in the project” and would return to the city Planning Commission with a new plan.

Last year, the Planning Commission had voted unanimously against Angus’ plan to drill up to 60 oil wells near the intersection of Delaware Street and Springfield Avenue. Homeowners in the area objected to it, saying that that oil wells would bring noise, odors, traffic and a potential for industrial accidents.

But acting on an appeal from then-Councilman John A. Thomas, the City Council overturned the commission’s action by a 4-3 vote. A group called Concerned Citizens of Huntington Beach sued the city and Thomas in November, alleging that the project was approved without consideration of its environmental impact and that Thomas had a conflict of interest with Angus.

Because Thomas allegedly had business dealings with Angus, the council in January rescinded its approval of the project. Angus then appealed. The council had been scheduled to consider the appeal on Tuesday, but Carmichael’s letter canceled that hearing.