WOODS CROSS — Residents living near the Silver Eagle Refinery attend nearly every city council meeting, hoping for reassurance their neighborhood is safe.

And many question why Woods Cross City allowed the Morningside Subdivision to be built so close to Silver Eagle Refinery.

The city was within the law in allowing developers to build there, but residents want to know their neighborhood is protected and will remain so, even if Silver Eagle expands or changes its operation.

To ensure that, the refinery and the city have begun unprecedented discussions to ensure both sides are on on the same page. A bill before the Utah Legislature may make those discussions mandatory.

House Bill 169 is viewed by many it affects as formalizing a process which was underway before the Utah State Legislature met.

If passed, HB 169 will require Woods Cross, or any other city in which there is a refinery, to consult with the refinery before adopting zoning changes or approving land use applications within 500 feet of the refinery

As of press time, HB 169 was on hold in the Senate on the second reading calendar, giving legislators additional time to discuss the bill.

The bill is being run by Rep. Becky Edwards, with Rep. Roger Barrus as co-sponsor.

“We’re not sure the bill will do anything more than what we’re already doing,” said J. Michael Redd, Silver Eagle vice president of refining and operations. “As I understand it, Becky (Rep. Edwards) wanted to make sure there’s a more formal process in place.”

Woods Cross city administrator Gary Uresk agrees that the communication process is underway between the city and refinery. “Right now, as it’s drafted, (the bill) provides a framework for further discussions.”

Both men believe the bill may help future city council members and refinery officials to remember what should be taking place, if the work being done now somehow is forgotten or ignored in the future.

But for the time being, city and refinery officials are making a concerted effort to communicate not only about land use issues, but safety issues and other items affecting the city and refinery.

Since the Nov. 4 explosion, refinery and city officials as well as emergency services personnel meet to share information.

Refinery officials provide the Woods Cross city council and residents with updates on refinery operations at each city council meeting.

If there is an emergency at the refinery, city officials are immediately notified.

A Community Action and Emergency Response Committee, including refinery, city and county representatives and residents meets every other month.

And regular meetings are held between coordinators of all the refineries in South Davis County.

The lack of communications was a major sticking point following the Nov. 4 explosion, a point refinery and city officials are working to correct.

Barrus said improving communications between cities and refineries is especially important when a refinery wants to expand or a neighborhood grows.

“Changing neighborhoods can end up on the doorstep of a refinery, We need to find a way to communicate with the city council and planning commission without infringing on the city’s zoning laws.

mwilliams@davisclipper.com