The purpose of this title is to prohibit the drilling on the surface or into the subsurface of oil and gas wells, the production of oil and gas and the storing and transportation thereof in the city, except as may be provided herein.
(A) The City Council hereby declares that it is also the object and purpose of this title to establish reasonable and uniform limitations, safeguards and controls for the drilling for and production of oil, gas and other hydrocarbon substances within and under the city. Such limitations, safeguards and controls are found to be necessary in order to protect the citizens, their property rights and the general public of the city and to put into effect practices which will provide a plan for the orderly drilling for and production of oil and gas, which substances are important to the national economy. Such orderly development is necessary and will protect the surface uses and the value and character of residential, commercial and other real property in the city as such uses are set forth in the zoning ordinances and regulations of the city. The City Council recognizes that many of its citizens and property owners have made substantial investments in real property and do not own the mineral rights lying in or under such property and will not profit directly from oil or gas development. Therefore, in order to protect such citizens and their property rights, to protect the owners of mineral rights and to provide for the orderly exploration, development and production of oil and gas, it is necessary to regulate the drilling for and production of oil and gas as set forth in this title.
(B) The City Council hereby finds and deter-mines that the uncontrolled drilling on the surface or into the subsurface for oil and gas and the production thereof in the city would be detrimental to the general welfare of its citizens and residents, and detrimental to the general public peace, health, safety, comfort, convenience and prosperity. The City Council finds and determines that subsurface areas within the city may be explored for oil and gas and, if the substances are found, the same may be produced by directional or slant drilling methods from surface locations within the city, all of which operations must be limited to certain controlled drilling sites hereby established and created in this title. Such controlled drilling sites and the limitations and regulations set forth herein are necessary in order to protect the citizens and residents of the city from oil odors, noise, dust, the spreading of oil, dirt and debris upon the public streets of the city and to protect buildings and structures from vibration, sinking, or other damage caused by the drilling for and production of oil and gas in an unrestricted location and manner.
('86 Code, § 21.04.010) (Ord. 3115, passed - - )