(A) An oil or gas well site, or a compressor station, or a natural gas processing facility, or any similar facilities performing the equivalent functions shall be permitted as a conditional use within the Agricultural (A-l), Light Commercial (C-l), Highway Commercial (C-2) And Industrial (I) Zoning Districts only by the process of submitting a conditional use application.
(B) The Applicant shall have the duty and the burden to prove compliance with the specific conditions set forth herein and by way of this subchapter. Applicant shall bear the burden of persuasion to demonstrate that the proposed conditional use will not have detrimental effects on the health, safety and welfare of township residents relative to any additional conditions.
(C) The proposed conditional use will be harmonious with and in accordance with the general objectives or with any specific objective of the township's comprehensive plan; will be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in a commercially reasonable manner so as to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity; will not be hazardous to existing neighboring uses; will be served adequately by essential facilities and services such as highways, streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewer, and schools; or the persons or agencies responsible for the establishment of the proposed use shall be able to adequately provide any such services; will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property, or the general welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors; will have vehicular approaches to the property which shall be designed so as not to create undue interference with traffic on surrounding public thoroughfares; will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic, or historic feature of significant importance.
(D) A zoning permit shall not be required for oil and gas drilling subsurface facilities which are authorized as a permitted use by right in all zoning districts. Permits for crossing or disturbance of any state or township street shall be required.
(E) Conditional use approval shall be required for each well site; however, if multiple well heads are proposed to be located at the well site, separate approval is not required for each well head if the original conditional use application indicates that multiple well heads are proposed.
(Ord. 3-2011, passed 2-6-2012)