Council approves CUP for eight-well Miller West pad after owner signs setback waiver

Ballard City Council on July 7 approved a conditional use permit (CUP) allowing Uintah Wax to construct an eight-well horizontal pad known as Miller West. Andrea Gurr, representing Uintah Wax, told the council the property owner of the nearest dwelling has signed a written waiver permitting wellheads closer than the city's 1,000-foot CUP setback; she also agreed to install directional signage to manage traffic flow to the site.

Council Member Ben Allred moved to approve the CUP; Council Member Steve Secrest seconded the motion and it carried. Council Member Alfred Kettle was recused from Item 2 and did not participate in the vote. The council recorded "all in favor" for the motion.

The council's action follows Planning and Zoning discussions and a related requirement that directional signage be used to limit traffic disruption near the proposed pad. City officials did not provide additional conditions beyond the waiver and signage commitment at the meeting.

The decision sets the permit in place pending any required follow-up permitting steps and inspections. Andrea Gurr indicated the applicant plans to permit all wells this year and begin drilling on roughly half of them by year-end. The council did not discuss specific drill schedules, environmental reviews or reclamation plans at the July 7 meeting.

Next steps: the city will proceed with CUP documentation and any operational permitting requirements; no additional public hearings were announced at the meeting.