The Williams County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny two related zone-change requests from developer representatives seeking to create multiple small residential lots near Blacktail Lake.
The applications, presented by Andrew Pocus on behalf of property owner Benjamin Roslyn, sought to rezone portions of large agricultural parcels to urban residential to permit four smaller lots near Blacktail Lake. Commissioners heard hours of public comment before voting to deny both requests.
The proposals would have created multiple 1.5-to-3-acre lots near Blacktail Drive. Pocus, the applicants’ representative, said the plan would give “eight different families” an opportunity to own property near the lake and that the county’s recent park improvements were attracting more recreation and visitors. He told the commission Western Area Water Supply had indicated in preliminary conversations that “there would be no issue with water capacity,” and said the applicants could provide a letter from the supplier.
Residents who live at Blacktail Lake urged the commission to reject the rezonings. Brad (no last name provided), a year‑round Blacktail resident, said rural water pressure already is limited and will face greater demand when the park’s new campsites reopen. “We have UPS trucks, FedEx trucks get stuck all the time on that road,” he said, urging road repairs and questioning water capacity planning. Mike Smith, another resident, said the lake and its roads are “overtaxed” already and opposed adding lots. Several residents pointed to a covenant and earlier agreement with the state Game and Fish Department that, they said, discouraged further development around the lake because of overcrowding concerns.
Longtime resident and former park-board member Greg Zavolni described Blacktail as a 560‑acre lake that is already “overpopulated,” said the dam has been monitored for leaks, and warned of potential downstream risk if the dam failed. He said the state Game and Fish Department historically advised against more development at Blacktail because of crowding and resource limits. Other speakers raised emergency-response concerns, noting the closest fire service comes from Alma (Alamo) and that additional homes would increase response risk.
Commissioners debated whether approval would open the area to further subdivision. A motion to approve the first zone change failed on initial roll call, and a motion to deny carried. Commissioners later rejected the second, similar rezoning request after public comment and a second roll call.
Discussion vs. decision: Commissioners heard substantial public comment and applicant testimony (discussion). The commission’s formal actions were two votes to deny the zone changes (decisions). No directions to staff or follow-up assignments were recorded on these items.
Outcome: Both zone-change requests by Andrew Pocus on behalf of Benjamin Roslyn were denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Why it matters: The decisions block immediate creation of smaller residential lots near Blacktail Lake and reflect sustained local concern about water supply, road condition, public-safety risk on a small lake, and potential impacts to the dam and emergency service coverage.
What’s next: Denial by the Planning and Zoning Commission sends the matter to the county commission with the board’s recommendation; the transcript did not record a scheduled follow-up or any immediate appeals.