Grant County P&Z approves multiple permits; ReadiTech told to seek variance for fiber in county right-of-way

The Grant County Planning & Zoning Board on May 14 approved a batch of building permits and advised a fiber contractor to apply for a utility permit and a variance to place buried cable in the county right-of-way.

The board voted to approve permits BLD-2026-010 through BLD-2026-017; motions to approve each permit were made and seconded by board members and carried "all in favor," according to the meeting record. Permits approved include new workshops, garages and a 33'x54' shop, a 12'x14' wooden deck, an AT&T tower modification, and the relocation of an existing 8'x14' deck.

Billi Jean Portscheller and Shelly Wald of ReadiTech Engineering described a project to install buried fiber-optic cable along 53rd Ave SW and 54th Ave SW from Highway 21 to the Morton County line. The representatives said IIG prefers to bury the cable in the ditch line, which falls within the Grant County right-of-way. The board instructed them to submit a utility application and a variance request so the Planning & Zoning Board can make a recommendation to the County Commissioners for final approval.

P&Z Director Jason Albert also informed the board that the County Commissioners had approved a utility permit for Mor-Gran-Sou. He said the State's Attorney had been sent research from other counties to assist with drafting ordinances related to data centers and solar farms.

The board set its next regular meeting for June 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. MST and adjourned at 11:13 a.m. MST.