(A) A natural gas pipeline permit shall be required for natural gas pipelines and an application shall be submitted to the Planning Department on forms provided by the city. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the applicant. The city shall return any application as incomplete if there is a dispute pending before the Railroad Commission regarding the determination of the operator. In addition to the application, the following must be submitted:
(1) An electronic copy of the pipeline easement map in accordance with current established policy;
(2) A pipeline easement map indicating the location of the destination transmission pipeline or line compressor, where applicable, and the alignment of the pipeline(s) connecting the operation site to the transmission pipeline or line compressor;
(3) A copy of any easement agreements, leases or other documentation required by the city to verify the route shown on the pipeline easement map;
(4) A nonrefundable application fee for each natural gas pipeline permit in the amount set forth in the city's most recent fee schedule;
(B) Where a pipeline is being installed to serve a drill site, no natural gas pipeline permit shall be issued if the proposed pipeline and its related facilities are not in conformance with the approved specific use permit and associated site plan for that drill site, the provisions of this section, building code, fire code and all other applicable city ordinances;
(C) A decision to deny an application for a natural gas pipeline permit shall be provided to the operator in writing, including the reason for the decision. The operator may appeal any such denial to the City Council;
(D) If an application for a natural gas pipeline permit is denied, nothing herein contained shall prevent a new application from being submitted to the city for the same pipelines. A new application fee shall accompany each new application;
(E) An approved natural gas pipeline permit shall expire on the one year anniversary of its date of issuance unless installation of the pipeline authorized by the permit has commenced;
(F) All surface appurtenances, excluding pipeline markers, serving a pipeline, including, but not limited to, valve stations, metering stations, pig launchers and other similar equipment, shall be screened in accordance with § 114.12(G) of this chapter. A landscape and irrigation plan must be submitted with the application for a natural gas pipeline permit;
(G) An operator shall place a pipeline marker, in English and Spanish, at each point where the operator has constructed or caused to be constructed a pipeline across a public street or road;
(H) An operator shall place a pipeline marker, in English and Spanish, over pipelines carrying hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas as required by the Railroad Commission;
(I) Pipelines shall be limited to the maximum allowable operating pressure applicable to the pipes installed and shall be installed with at least the minimum cover or backfill specified by the American National Safety Institute Code, as amended;
(J) Structures shall not be built over pipelines;
(K) Pipelines shall be located underground. The location of all pipelines must be marked with warning signs in accordance with industry standards. Within the City of Mansfield, the distance between such signs shall not exceed 500 feet. In addition, during backfill of pipeline excavations, "buried pipeline" warning tape shall be buried one foot above the pipeline to warn future excavators of the presence of buried pipeline;
(L) Each pipeline operator shall maintain a public education program as mandated by state and federal law.
(Ord. OR-1942-15, passed 3-23-15) Penalty, see § 114.99