Williams County commissioners approve series of permits, variances and zone changes

Williams County commissioners on Monday approved a slate of land‑use actions — including conditional use permits, variances and zone changes — covering multifamily units, minor subdivisions and small business uses across the county.

The decisions included approval of a conditional use permit for a six‑unit multifamily property purchased by Joel Rhodes (JD Roads Investments LLC), a variance and minor subdivision for property owned by the Art and Anne Anderson Revocable Trust, a zone change and boundary adjustment for Crystal Erickson, a subdivision for Deering Farm LLC, a conditional use permit for a shop serving ACEs Energy Services, a zone change for Christopher Gent, and a conditional use permit for a family‑run bait and tackle shop owned by Shelby Anderson. All motions carried on roll call vote.

Why it mattered: the actions clear legal and administrative hurdles for property owners to renovate, operate or subdivide land across Williams County, and several approvals included stipulations intended to protect access and public safety — for example, requiring permanent access easements on plats and ensuring approaches meet emergency‑services standards.

Staff presentation and public comment

Michelle, county planning staff, told the board the first application from Joel Rhodes would return previously approved owner responsibilities and buffer requirements to the conditions for a conditional use permit. She said the subject parcel contains six multifamily units built in 2012 that had been used as employee housing under a now‑expired hotel/motel license and have been vacant since 2023.

At the public hearing Tashina Greaves, of TG Contractor Services and TG Property Management, told the commissioners she visited the site and said, “There is a chain link fence that's 4 and a half to 5 feet tall going on the entire south side of the property … I do have photo or video of it.” Greaves asked whether a new south fence would still be required since a fence already existed; commissioners said staff would review fence condition and gate/access when the owner applies for building permits.

Access, easements and emergency standards

Several applications prompted discussion about access and potential landlocking of newly created parcels. On the Art and Anne Anderson trust application staff and commissioners highlighted that the township had raised concerns about who would maintain the dead‑end access road; commissioners elected to approve the minor subdivision with a stipulation that a permanent access easement be shown on the recorded plat so parcels would not be landlocked in the future. Michelle noted that if a new access met certain length thresholds a turnaround or cul‑de‑sac would be required to meet emergency‑services standards.

Applicant statements and business use

An applicant appearing for a conditional use permit to build a rural shop said the business would be used occasionally for extensive repairs and painting. The applicant, who identified the business as ACEs Energy Services, told the board, “We have just we're a small company. We have about 8 trucks. Basically, we're just looking to get another shop out there … we don't even have a mechanic. It's dad and I that do all the work.” Commissioners approved the conditional use permit with the understanding staff may readdress complaints or noncompliance if they arise.

Township conditions and liquor licensing

For the bait and tackle shop application, Hardscrabble Township recommended approval but asked that the county require final approach approval and prohibit off‑sale liquor or beer. Commissioners debated whether the township's suggested liquor restriction belonged in the land‑use approval or in the liquor‑licensing process; staff and commissioners noted liquor licensing and fire inspections are separate county processes and that a liquor license application would trigger those reviews.

Votes at a glance

• LUDash0005‑26 (Joel Rhodes, conditional use — multifamily renovation): Motion to approve with staff comments — Passed (roll call: unanimous yes). • LUDash0006‑26 (Art and Anne Anderson Trust, variance/minor subdivision): Motion to approve with stipulation that an access easement be shown on the plat — Passed (roll call: unanimous yes). • LUDash0008‑26 (Crystal Erickson, zone change to rural residential): Motion to approve — Passed (roll call: unanimous yes). • LUDash0010‑26 (Deering Farm LLC, minor subdivision/variance): Motion to approve following staff comments — Passed (roll call: unanimous yes). • LUDash0014‑26 (Jared Medhurst, conditional use — shop for ACEs Energy Services): Motion to approve based on staff comments and applicant statements — Passed (roll call: unanimous yes). • LUDash0015‑26 (Christopher Gent, zone change to urban residential for 2‑acre lot): Motion to approve staff comments — Passed (roll call: unanimous yes). • LUDash0020‑26 (Shelby Anderson, conditional use — bait and tackle shop): Motion to approve — Passed (roll call: unanimous yes).

What’s next

Approved variances and conditional use permits become effective as recorded in county records and may require administrative follow‑up before plat recordation (for example, placement of an access easement on a plat) or additional permits (building permits, approach permits, liquor licenses). Several items included conditions that staff said they will verify during permitting and platting. The commission adjourned after the final vote.