§ 14-40. Landscaping.

(a)

Landscaping and irrigation shall be required along all street frontages of the well site with suitable screening shrubs that complement the architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood. Screening shrubs shall be installed completely around the well site and all required fences and be sufficient to screen from view the structures sought to be screened. Screening shrubs shall be a minimum of three feet in height at planting, have the potential to grow to a mature height of a minimum of six feet and must have an installed irrigation system that provides total water coverage to all plant materials. The vegetation shall be kept in an attractive state and in good condition at all times by the applicant or operator.

(b)

All landscape and irrigation plans shall be submitted concurrently with the gas well permit application to the city council for approval.

(c)

Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, the operator may petition the city council to toll the required landscaping installation until such time as the council, in its sole discretion, after written notice to the operator and a public meeting, may determine that the required landscaping installation is necessary due to development around the drill site, change in circumstances, or other factors which the council deems appropriate. The failure of the operator to install the required landscaping in compliance with this section may result in the revocation of the gas well permit in accordance with section 14-29, or, in the alternative, the city may elect to draw from the required bond or letter of credit to install or direct the installation of the required landscaping.

(Ord. No. 2006-22, § 19, 7-25-2006)