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Potential contamination from an underground storage tank and fears of drainage problems from an underground landfill led the Summerfield Town Council to order additional environmental studies on land proposed for the town's ball park complex.

Town Administrator Michael Brandt told the council Thursday night that a Phase I Environmental Study on the 28-acre site at 5200 U.S. 220 North, revealed three issues of concern, including:

• An underground storage tank used for residential heating oil was removed from the property 15 years ago. The owner of the property at the time noted there were no apparent leaks from the tank, but no soil tests were performed. Brandt said if significant grading or other activities will take place where the tank was removed, soil tests are recommended.

• The neighboring Gas Town gas station had documented releases of fuel. In 1991, three underground storage tanks were removed and contaminated dirt was piled behind the gas station next to the proposed ball field property. Brandt noted that removed dirt could have contaminated the site. Digging a well on the property line to test for contamination was recommended.

• A drainage swale on the property was filed with debris from the construction of Greensboro's Brassfield Shopping Center in 1984-85, including soil, stumps, concrete and asphalt. Brandt noted that without further testing, the town wouldn't know if other materials exist at the site or if the dumping led to contamination. Another concern was that the site could begin to sink because of drainage issues.

Upon hearing the concerns, the council consulted with resident Doug Canavello, president of Pyramid Environmental & Engineering, who previously reviewed the results.

"This is pretty standard stuff," Canavello said. "I think that anywhere you go in Summerfield, Greensboro and Guilford County you are going to run into these types of issues, there's nothing of big surprise here."

Canavello said the contaminated dirt from Gas Town shouldn't be much of a concern, as long as the town pushes any well sites to the other end of the property.

The heating fuel tank shouldn't be a big issue either, Canavello said, noting that even if contamination is found, there is a trust fund to help whomever is held responsible.

Regarding the drainage swale, Canavello agreed it would be in the town's best interest to pursue further testing.

"That's a little concerning," Canavello said. "(But) I don't think there's one large tract in Guilford County that I've worked on in the last 15 years that hasn't had something like that."

After a short discussion, council voted unanimously to move forward with soil testing around the site of the heating fuel tank, and to have soil boring tests done at the underground landfill to test for potential contamination and subsidence. Results should be available in about six weeks.

Costs to address all three concerns was estimated at $5,000 to $7,000, but Brandt said he didn't have a revised figure based on council's decision. The town has spent about $12,000 in environmental studies on the site.

In other business, the council:

• approved a purchase contract amendment with the property's owner, Allen Marshall, to extend an examination period on the property from Aug. 28 to Oct. 28 to allow for testing. The council entered into the contract with Marshall to buy the land June 29 for $912,340.

• for the 2010 Census, opted for a plan that allows the town 120 days to review and compare addresses provided by the Census Bureau to what is on record at town hall.

• agreed to split the council's regular September meeting into two parts. The first will be Sept. 11, with a tentative second meeting date of Sept. 19. The split was due to time needed for four public hearings related to rezoning cases.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7157 or rseals@news-record.com