Denver-based Crestone Peak Resources, in a second draft of its drilling plan for East Boulder County, has yet to decide whether it will comply with numerous requests to move its well pads farther from residential areas, although a company spokesman said Crestone is exploring that proposal.

Neighborhood groups, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) and the Town of Erie have requested that well pads be moved closer to the already busy Colo. 52 corridor.

Crestone’s second draft of its plan for a major development does not reflect any substantive changes in location or number of wells, spokesman Jason Oates said. The latest draft was released late Monday.

“Anytime we can achieve consensus from multiple stakeholders around a key aspect of a development project, we will do everything within our power to make it work,” Oates said.

“Unfortunately, in this case, there are variables we don’t control which could stop us from moving our potential well pads. We are diligently working to make this work by the final submission in December.”

The plan calls for at least 180 wells drilled on six different pad sites within a 12-square-mile swath of land near the intersection of Colo. 52 and U.S. 287, between Longmont and Lafayette.

Crestone said it has tried to avoid wildlife areas and floodplains, among other sensitive areas, in choosing the existing sites.

On Tuesday, a group of homeowners along Oxford Road responded to the second draft with a mix of optimism and concern.

“There was a slight opening (for dialogue) because they did reference the fact that they’re going to evaluate looking at Colo. 52,” said Sonya Jaquez Lewis. “I was a little surprised that when you see all the associated documentation, it all says the same thing (as in the first draft.)”

The second draft was published to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s website on Monday evening. It includes maps, examples of facility layouts, public comments and surface owner notices — similar to what was in the first draft in October.

Todd Hartman, spokesman for the commission, said the major differences between the first and second phase plans are the additional details about planned operations, attached presentations from the meetings, a phase one study attached and Crestone’s responses to comments.

“The second phase plan does not show changes to the proposed locations, but the operator indicates it is working on alternatives,” he said.

The final draft is due Dec. 18, after which state regulators will deny or accept the plan possibly in March.

Residents, such as Jaquez Lewis, have protested the proximity of the large-scale industrial operation to neighborhoods. Several individuals, organized groups, the CDPHE and even the town of Erie have asked that Crestone relocate the wells to the state highway, away from residential areas.

Some groups, such as the anti-fracking activists Boulder County Protectors, have asked Crestone not to drill at all in Boulder County.

Jaquez Lewis — who is hoping to start an organic farm, but won’t be allowed if there’s heavy industry nearby — said Crestone’s proposal is the guinea pig for Boulder County, now that a five-year drilling moratorium has expired.

Two well pads with 36 wells each are proposed along Oxford Road. The two lots are visible, if not abutting, several rural properties and homes in the area.

“Oxford Road is a Colorado legacy farm pristine agricultural area,” Jaquez Lewis said. “It makes no sense to put industrial processes near a farm.”

Many residents say they feel encroached upon, having little input in the industry decisions. They mention the quietness of the area, the views of the mountains, the road as a popular route for cyclists, the impact on farmers of Boulder County Open Space as well as the frequency of lightning strikes.

The proposed oil and gas development would change the landscape and lifestyles of current and future residents, they say.

They said they have not yet heard why Crestone can’t move operations to Colo. 52 — other than a map showing wildlife areas and floodplains released last month.

“They have not yet justified to us why they cannot do that,” said Lee Snett. “If they can put a pad here and drill two miles south, why can’t they put a pad there?”

Allison Lotspeich also called for more transparency in the process.

“They say they are going to do a thorough analysis,” Lotspeich said. “Well, we want to be a part of that. What does that mean and how can we get in there?”

Just north of the rural two-lane road in a 2,720-acre area between Oxford and Quail roads, oil and gas company 8 North in September filed an application in hopes of drilling there, causing the same residents more concern.

Amelia Arvesen: 303-684-5212, arvesena@times-call.com or twitter.com/ameliaarvesen