Williams County approves zone change and conditional-use permit for proposed water intake, contingent on Corps approval

The Williams County Board of County Commissioners voted Dec. 2 to approve a zone change to Agricultural and a conditional-use permit for a proposed water intake pumping station on an approximately 10.1-acre parcel identified as LUDash0085Dash25 in Houghland Township.

Michelle of Planning and Zoning told commissioners the parcel had been rezoned to rural residential during a prior countywide update and the applicant requested Agricultural zoning because an industrial pumping station is only allowable with a conditional-use permit in agricultural or industrial districts under county regulations. Planning and Zoning recommended approval 9-0. The record identifies the applicant name in two ways: "Dallas Lallam" in the Planning and Zoning introduction and later as "Dallas Leland" in the motion; the record is inconsistent on the last name.

Garrett Lallum of Hardy Water, speaking for the project team, said geotechnical borings are complete, engineers have produced roughly 60% designs for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting (404/408 reviews), and the intake would be bored approximately 550 yards from the property edge to reach sufficiently deep water. He said the intake would supply raw water for future industrial users and that pumps and motors would be electric and housed in a building approximately 16 by 28 feet; engineering will include noise/code mitigation.

A commissioner moved to approve the zoning and conditional-use permit and amended the motion to make final approval conditional on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval. The second accepted the amendment, and a roll-call vote recorded unanimous 'Yes' votes; the board carried the amended approval.

The board did not impose additional conditions in the record beyond the Corps contingency. Staff said they will continue permitting steps with the Corps and will return with any required documentation.