The Williams County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a zone change to rural commercial and a conditional use permit to allow a propane business with a 30,000-gallon tank on an approximately 5-acre parcel in East Fork Township.
Jeff Novak, representing Roughrider Propane, spoke for the applicant, which seeks the rezoning and permit for a site on Government Lot 4 of Section 7, Township 156 North, Range 100 West. The property currently sits in a rural-residential district and would be accessed from U.S. Highway 2.
Why it matters: the approval allows bulk-propane storage and staging along a state highway corridor subject to state and county safety setbacks and DOT approval for improved approaches.
County staff told the commission the township recommended approval. Commissioners asked staff whether the state Department of Transportation required improvements to the site’s approaches; staff said final DOT approval to improve dilapidated approaches would likely be necessary for commercial operation. Staff also said setbacks listed on the applicant site plan were approximately 100 feet, but the required setback would be at least 133 feet from the highway easement and additional clearances would be required for fire and property-line setbacks as part of the bulk-fuel permitting process.
Nearby property owner Terry Ness asked about the tank’s placement and capacity. Novak described the business as "mostly bulk" distribution, intended for staging trucks to serve the community; he said, "Welcome to Williston. Home of Roughrider Propane," and confirmed no anhydrous storage would be on site.
Commissioner Mark moved to approve the zone change and conditional use permit with staff comments; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. The record shows the township recommended approval and the county will require DOT sign-off and bulk fuel permitting before final commercial operations.
Next steps: the applicant must obtain DOT approval for approaches, complete required setback and fire-safety clearances and secure any bulk-fuel permits or inspections before the tank is sited or used.