The Williston City Commission voted to approve a zone change and a preliminary plat for a proposed subdivision during its meeting Tuesday evening.

Granite Peak Development, LLC, of Casper, Wyo., was requesting a zone change from agriculture zoning to both R-2 single-family and two-family residential and for a portion to be changed to R-3 lowrise multi-family and townhouse residential.

The company was also asking for approval of the preliminary plat for the 40.05 acres of land the subdivision would be placed on.

A recommendation to approve both was unanimously approved by planning and zoning on July 19.

Williston Planning and Zoning Director Kent Jarcik told the commission that planning and zoning has discussed several issues at its meeting. These included a street connection that needs to be made through the property and drainage concerns on the east side of the property. Jarcik said most of the details are in order except for a timetable to get water and sewer lines connected through the property.

Jarcik said Granite Peak wanted to get everything in place by Sept. 15.

The reasoning was so that there would be more of a chance for beginning construction on houses before winter.

However, Public Works Director Monte Meiers was requesting a deadline of Oct. 29, saying that the schedule for getting everything in line would take at least that long.

"It would be a tight schedule, even with October 29," said Meiers.

Meiers explained the process, which begins with going out for bids. A a bid opening would be on August 17, with approval needed at the August 24 commission meeting.

From there, they'd need to get bonding and everything approved to begin construction by Sept. 14.

Meiers was asked if a special meeting could speed up the process at all. He replied it would likely only improve the pace by a few days, maybe up to a week.

Terry Metzler, operations manager for Granite Peak's North Dakota Division, said they could agree to a compromise that involves the Oct. 29 date.

"I think one way or the other we can do this," said Metzler.

After further discussion, the commission moved to approve the zone change and preliminary plat, with the stipulation of having an Oct. 29 completing the water and sewer construction.

The vote was unanimous, by a five votes to none margin.