A. It
is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, whether as principal,
agent, employee or otherwise, to explore for, prospect for, or drill
for, or to permit or to commence the exploration, prospecting or drilling
for, oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances within the corporate
limits of the City. Any such activity shall be deemed to constitute
a nuisance.
B. The
violation of any provision of this section, or of any provision of
Section 1500 of the Charter prohibiting drilling for oil, gas, or
other hydrocarbon substances within the corporate limits of the City
shall be deemed a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not
exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment for a term of not exceeding six
months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
C. Every
day on which any violation of this section or of such section of the
Charter occurs shall constitute a separate offense for any day upon
which the same occurs.
(Prior code §33.1; Ord. 3077 §1, 1965)
Any use of property within the corporate limits of the City
for the exploration, prospecting or drilling for oil, gas or other
hydrocarbon substances, and any equipment or structure set up, erected,
built or maintained or used thereon or therein, for the exploration,
prospecting or drilling for oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances,
is declared to be a public nuisance, and the City Attorney shall,
upon order of the City Council, immediately commence action proceedings
for the abatement and removal and enjoinment thereof in the manner
provided by law and shall take such other steps and shall apply to
such court as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate,
remove, restrain and enjoin the use of any such property within the
corporate limits of the City and the erection, maintenance or use
of any such equipment or structure for any such purposes contrary
to the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code §33.2)
The lawful use of land existing on June 27, 1953, although such
use does not conform to the provisions of this chapter may be continued,
but if such nonconforming use is abandoned any future use of the land
shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code §33.3)