(A) Throughout the entire exploration, drilling, and production process there shall be screening improvements (fences, walls, berms and landscaping) required during each phase of the process.
(B) Exploration through completion (drilling phase). Once the pad site has been prepared a temporary chain link fence with wooden slats at least six feet in height shall be established around the entire operation site to obscure view of the gas drilling activities. The temporary fence shall remain standing and in a serviceable condition throughout this phase. A secured entrance gate shall be required. All gates are to be kept locked when the operator or his or her employees are not within the enclosure. A Knox Padlock or Knox Box with a key shall be provided to access the well site to be used only in case of an emergency.
(C) Completion through abandonment. Within 90 days of completion of initial drilling of any well on a drilling site a masonry wall with landscaping shall be required to enclose and visually screen the well and all associated equipment. Partial screening of the drilling site shall not be allowed without approval from the City Council. An earthen berm may also be required. The masonry walls, berms, and landscaping shall be in compliance with standard engineering and design practices and shall meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) The masonry wall material and design shall be generally compatible with the design of similar facilities, buildings and structures on and/or adjacent to the site;
(2) Masonry walls shall be at least eight feet in height;
(3) Masonry walls shall be placed upon earthen berms in order to prevent viewing of the well and associated equipment from a public street, playground, competition athletic field or picnic area within a public park, existing residences and residentially zoned undeveloped property contiguous to the well site where practicable as determined by the City Council. However, the above mentioned berms shall not be required unless needed to augment the height of an eight-foot masonry wall in order to prevent the viewing of the well or any associated equipment from the above items;
(4) All landscape improvements shall be maintain in an attractive and healthy state by the applicant and/or operator as to ensure the effective visual screening of the site throughout its use for gas production and associated activities; and
(5) Screening shrubs and trees shall be evergreen species and shall be installed in conjunction with the required masonry walls and or berms in order to supplement both the visual screening and noise mitigation of the well site and associated equipment. Screening shrubs shall be a minimum of five feet in height at planting, having the potential to grow to a mature height of at least eight feet , be planted on four-foot centers and must have an irrigation system that provides total water coverage to all plant materials. Screening trees shall be planted on 20-foot centers. Trees must be a minimum of three-inch caliber at time of planting and be irrigated as above.
(D) Gate specifications. All temporary fences and masonry walls shall be equipped with at least one gate. The gate shall meet the following specifications:
(1) Each gate shall be not less than 12 feet wide and be composed of two gates, each of which is not less than six feet wide, or one sliding gate not less than 12 feet wide. If two gates are used, gates shall latch and lock in the center of the span;
(2) The gates shall be of chain link construction, with all-weather screening fabric, that meets the applicable specifications, or of other approved material that, for safety reasons, shall be at least as secure as a chain link fence;
(3) The gates shall be provided with a combination catch and locking attachment device for a padlock, and shall be kept locked except when being used for access to the site;
(4) Operator must provide the Police Department and the Fire Department with a Knox Padlock or Knox Box entry system or equivalent on the gate to access the well site in case of an emergency; and
(5) At each gate there needs to be a sign that reads: “NO TRESPASSING”.
(Ord. 326, passed 7-14-2011) Penalty, see § 154.999