Concerns raised over construction of above-ground diesel tanks near Hill Air Force Base

LAYTON, Utah — Some neighbors in the city of Layton are expressing concern about the approval to build two 1,000-gallon above-ground diesel tanks right outside Hill Air Force Base. 

Twin D, a sewer and storm drain maintenance business, was given conditional approval by the city during a planning commission meeting on June 11 to build the fuel tanks on their property. Community and Economic Development Director for Layton City Chad Wilkinson said the diesel tanks will be used to fuel the company’s own vehicles on their industrial property. Wilkinson also said there are rules in place that regulate these kinds of projects, and so far the company is up to code.

“The reason for the conditional use request was in order for us to make sure we have conditions in place to regulate construction and placement of those tanks,” Wilkinson said. “These are highly, highly regulated, both by fire code, [and] by some of the EPA requirements for fuel tanks, so they have many, many regulations that apply to them for placement, construction, [and] storage.”

Residents voice concern

However, the property is right outside the tarmac of Hill Air Force Base. Since there have been crashes in their area before, neighbor Eleanor Weiss feels it is too close for comfort. Weiss said their neighborhood has no outlet. She wishes the city had presented them with a exit strategy, in case of emergency.

 

“So if there is an event or explosion, a leakage or smoke, we don’t have a way to escape,” Weiss said.

She went on to say the lot is right next to a baseball field, a bus stop, and a church bowery. Therefore, large groupings of people and children gather in the area.

Weiss also expressed concern that public input was not heavily weighed prior to making a decision. She said if she and her neighbor, Yasmin Lorenzo, had not accidentally stumbled upon a flyer about the planning commission meeting, they would have never known about the project. Once there, Weiss said the city did not take their concerns seriously.

“They were smirking. They were rolling their eyes. At times, they were kind of chuckling at some of the neighbors when they would go up to the podium,” Weiss said. “One of them even made the comment, ‘You know you can leave. You can move.'”

Wilkinson said the timeline for the project is still unclear. However, Twin D, which is operated by Denny Holding LLC, has clearance to move forward with construction, as long as they continue to follow all the regulations set in place.

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