Staff Writer

The Williston Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special permitted use for an expansion of temporary dormitory housing during its meeting Monday evening.

Expansion of the dormitory housing was presented by Dave Slais for a site in Stony Creek Township at Prairie Packing.

Planning and Zoning Director Kent Jarcik told the commissioners there are four temporary buildings there and the proposed expansion would allow for up to 15 buildings.

"This would allow for 90 dwelling units and under the agreement would be up for review after five years," said Jarcik. The housing, current and future addition, would house Halliburton employees.

Jarcik said one of the original issues with the housing and its location in a heavy industrial zoned area is the issue of safety in case of fire or emergency. He said there had been a concern that fire trucks or ambulance may have a difficult time with access in case of an emergency.

Jarcik said after a recent ad-hoc meeting where there was some discussion on the issue of access, he felt it had been fairly addressed.

"Chief Alan Hanson felt that there would be access," Jarcik said of insights from the Williston Fire Department.

Commissioner Janice Arnson asked Slais about the ground around the site, citing a messy, muddy area where the first four buildings are now. She had been there about six weeks ago and it had been a real mess outside the buildings.

"It was so muddy that it was to the point where they couldn't park out front; they had to park out by the road. I was just wondering if there's been any gravel put in?," said Arnson.

Slais said they have fixed the ground in the past few months.

"During the construction it was quite a mess. Then in the spring it was really wet," said Slais.

The commission had further discussion around the temporary status of the housing, as well as the location of it being in a heavy industrial area. As the discussion was wrapping up, Commission Chair Glenn Boyeff said he felt if Chief Hanson didn't have concerns about access, Boyeff trusted his judgment. He also said housing, even temporary and in such a location, is definitely needed with the local shortage for people to stay.

"I don't think it's an ideal place for that type of housing, but it fills a need we have to address right now," said Boyeff.

The commission voted 6-0 to approve the matter, with Commissioner Tim Kleven excused from attendance.

In a separate matter, the commission also approved an appeal for a variance by a local resident regarding allowable lot coverage on an addition to a residence.

Brian Fretheim got a permit in May 2008 to build a 10-by-24 garage addition to a residence on the 900 block of West Broadway. He got the permit and then wanted to build a second floor.

Jarcik told the commission that Fretheim got a verbal agreement from the Building Department, and he and his contractors hadn't understood they needed a second permit.

Meanwhile, the second floor was built along with an overhang on the second floor that wasn't allowed. The request was for a variance to allow the overhang to remain as it was.

The commission unanimously approved the matter, allowing it to go forward to a public meeting on Dec. 8. The decision made at the meeting would determine if the addition can stay or would need to be removed.