Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code Part 14 N Prohibition of Oil, Gas and Mineral Uses Zone

The purpose of this zone shall be to prohibit oil, gas and mineral uses in certain areas of the city where the underlying zone would permit such uses as a principal use or as a conditional use. This zone may be applied to those properties where, after public hearings, the Planning Commission and City Council determines that the prohibition of new oil and gas or mineral uses is necessary in order for the properties involved to develop in an appropriate manner. This zone may also be applied to those properties where surface rights-of-entry in connection with existing leasehold agreements unduly restrict the development of the property for uses permitted in the underlying zone. It shall not be the purpose or intent of this zone to prohibit the exploration for or extraction of oil, gas or minerals from the subsurface area provided that the surface and area to a depth of 500 feet from the surface is not used for these purposes.

('64 Code, § 49.50; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

The N Zone shall be in the nature of a superimposed zone. Land classified in the N Zone shall also be classified in one or more other zones. Property so classified shall be delineated on the zoning map by a combination of the zone symbols (i. e., M-2-N). The regulations set forth in these sections on the N Zone shall be in addition to those regulations set forth in the underlying zone. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the N Zone and the provisions of an underlying zone, the provisions of the N Zone shall control.

('64 Code, § 49.51; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

The N Zone shall not be applied to more than 350 acres of land, which is approximately 35 percent of the city oil field area. In applying the N Zone effort shall be made to not include, where practical, the actual location of existing oil, gas or mineral facilities.

('64 Code, § 49.52; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

Before the N Zone shall be applied to any property, public hearings as required by this chapter, shall be held and the testimony received shall be considered by the Planning Commission and City Council. In addition to the notice required by this chapter for public hearings, the city shall use reasonable diligence to notify parties with a legal interest in oil, gas or mineral rights pertaining to the subject property. The city shall also notify the State Division of Oil and Gas.

('64 Code, § 49.53; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

The principal permitted uses in the N Zone shall be the same as permitted in the underlying zone, except that uses involving or related to the exploration for or the development, drilling, production, extraction, taking, saving, storing and removal of oil, gas and any other hydrocarbons and minerals shall be prohibited.

('64 Code, § 49.54; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

Cross reference— Penalty, see § 10.97

The accessory uses permitted in the N Zone shall be the same as permitted in the underlying zone.

('64 Code, § 49.55; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

The conditional uses shall be the same as permitted in the underlying zone except that any uses related to the exploration for or the drilling, production, extraction, storing and removal of oil, gas and other hydrocarbons shall be prohibited.

('64 Code, § 49.56; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

Cross reference— Penalty, see § 10.97

Property development standards set forth in the underlying zones shall apply.

('64 Code, § 49.57; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)

Legal oil, gas and mineral uses of property existing at the time the N Zone is applied to said property may continue to operate and shall not be subject to the abatement provisions of this chapter relating to nonconforming uses. At the time the N Zone is applied the Planning Commission shall determine the boundaries of the operating areas for existing oil, gas and mineral uses on the subject property in such a manner as to accommodate the facilities necessary for existing operations and reasonably necessary for anticipated future operations. Normal repairs, replacements, maintenance and site improvements shall be permitted subject to development plan approval, as long as there is no expansion of the operating area. Expansion, as used in this section, is intended to mean expansion of the land area utilized by such facilities. Easements and rights-of-way for pipelines and access purposes shall not be considered an "expansion" as provided herein.

('64 Code, § 49.58; Ord. 715, passed 7-9-87)