5.140 Utility Transmission Tower or Distribution Line; Natural Gas Compressor Stations

  1. Utility transmission tower or distribution line.
    1. Location
      Utility transmission towers and distribution lines and supporting structures owned and/or operated by the City, county, or public utility companies, which are necessary for the furnishing of utility services, are permitted in all districts.
    2. Accessory Uses
      The following are permitted as accessory uses in all districts.
      1. Communication antennas that are mounted on and supported by utility transmission towers, provided that no communication antenna shall extend more than 12 feet above the highest point of the tower; and 
      2. Auxiliary structures housing electronic communications equipment which is necessary for the operation of communication antennas established pursuant to Paragraph 1 above.
    3. Exemption from Height Requirements
      District height requirements shall not apply to:
      1. Utility transmission towers and distribution lines and supporting structures;
      2. Communication antennas established in compliance with B.1. above.
  2. Natural Gas Compressor Stations
    1. Unless otherwise specifically stated, variances to the compressor regulations may not be granted by the Board of Adjustment.
    2. Lift Compressors
      1. Lift Compressors shall be allowed in all zoning districts, but shall be restricted to the gas drilling pad site.
      2. One three-inch caliper tree shall be planted every 40 linear feet along the property line abutting a public right-of-way. No heavy equipment, including but not limited to trucks, tractors, trailers, bulldozers, bobcat tractors, trenchers, compressors and hoists shall be allowed inside the critical root zone of any protected tree on any compressor site without the specific approval of the city forester. This requirement shall supersede other landscaping requirements.
      3. All equipment or buildings associated with the operation of the compressor located in or within 600 feet of residentially used property or from the public right-of-way shall be screened from public view by landscaping, berming, structure or wall constructed of metal, masonry or other structurally sound material as approved by the Director of Planning and Development or his/her designee that significantly screens the equipment and is painted in a non-contrasting soft earth tone color to match the nearby surroundings as nearly as possible. This requirement shall supersede other landscaping requirements.
    3. Line Compressors
      1. Line Compressors shall be permitted only in "AG" Agricultural District, "I" Light Industrial, "J" Medium Industrial and "K" Heavy Industrial zoning districts.
      2. Line Compressors shall be permitted in all other zoning districts only by a special exception granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. In order for the Zoning Board of Adjustment to grant a special exception, the Line Compressor must meet the minimum standards of "I" Light Industrial District as provided in Article II of Chapter 15, "Gas" of the Gas Code and a site plan must be submitted and approved by the Board. The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall grant the application only when the Board determines that location of the compressor is clearly defined on the site plan by the applicant; and the exception will be compatible with the existing uses and the development of adjacent properties either as filed, or subject to such requirements as the Board finds necessary to protect and maintain the stability of adjacent properties.
      3. One three-inch caliper tree shall be planted every 40 linear feet along the property line abutting a public right-of-way. No heavy equipment including but not limited to trucks, tractors, trailers, bulldozers, bobcat tractors, trenchers, compressors and hoists shall be allowed inside the critical root zone of any protected tree on any compressor site without the specific approval of the city forester. This requirement shall supersede other landscaping requirements. (Ord. No. 18504, Eff. 3/12/09)