Hutto officials said a proposed project by Valero Energy Company near the Williamson County Landfill was denied by the city after a meeting Aug. 3. “We are concerned about the location and its proximity to residential subdivisions such as San Gabriel River Estates off of [CR 131] 131 and [FM] 1660, The Heritage [neighborhood], and the new high school and middle school planned to be built off of [FM] 1660,” city officials said in a statement about the project. “Furthermore, we believe that the amount of truck traffic and potential for future hazardous spills can have an adverse effect to the quality of life for those residents as well as our children who will be attending the new schools.” City Manager Odis Jones and other staff met with representatives of Valero, who proposed a 70-mile, 12-inch pipeline from Hearne to Hutto that would transport 60,000 barrels per day of refined products, including gasoline and diesel fuel. The proposal also called for a terminal to be built that included a five-bay truck rack and refined product tank storage of about 500,000 barrels of refined products. Valero projected a cost of $200 million to construct the pipeline and storage facility, saying the pipeline and terminals would generate approximately 350 development and construction jobs and enhance the tax base of communities near the pipeline route and terminals. In its proposal, Valero outlined its commitment to safety through design, monitoring and technology, saying a number of federal, state and local agencies would be involved in the approval and oversight of the project. In the end, it wasn’t what Hutto officials felt is best for the city. “The city is in opposition to the storage and terminal project as this use does not fit within our comprehensive plan for this growth corridor,” the city statement said. Hutto officials said residents expressed their concerns over the proposed project and the city welcomes opinions directed to elected leaders about the future of Hutto.