(A) General. Oil and gas drilling and extraction shall be permitted in all areas of the township, and require only submission and approval of a site plan to the Township Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
(B) Criteria for special exception review.
(1) The Zoning Hearing Board shall take into consideration the following issues when reviewing any petition for a special exception for permanent compressor station buildings or facilities associated with the extraction, collection or distribution of natural gas, methane gas or oil.
(2) Oil or natural gas compressors may be approved and authorized as a special exception in an area of the township as a special exception, which shall only be granted following a showing to the Zoning Hearing Board of the following;
(a) Setback at least 1,000 feet from an occupied structure unless a waiver has been obtained from the owner of the structure;
(b) Provisions for noise attenuation using best available practices, including mufflers and sound attenuating building materials for a structure around a compressor. Sound shall be no greater than 30 db at the nearest occupied structure for which a waiver has not been obtained;
(c) Compliance with lot coverage, property line setback and height restrictions as provided for in the underlying zoning district;
(d) Landscape planting, painting or other features of construction to limit visual impact of the compressor building, when located in an RR, R1 or R2 District;
(e) Driveway access approved by the governmental agency responsible for maintenance and operation of the public roadway;
(f) Sufficient on-site parking to avoid vehicles being parked upon public roadways;
(g) A maintenance plan including schedule for maintenance and standards to assure safe and noise free operation in the future, which plan shall be made a condition of ongoing use and operation of the compressor station; and
(h) All buildings, facilities, equipment and land areas shall be properly maintained, so as to not create a public nuisance or unsightly condition.
(Ord. 678, passed 10-20-2010)