Commission approves two-lot subdivision; smaller lot kept agricultural because it contains oil well

The Williams County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a minor subdivision that will split a roughly 40-acre parent parcel in the southwest quarter of Section 20, Township 155 North, Range 101 West, in Missouri Ridge Township, into two lots of about 20.02 acres and 19.79 acres. The commission approved a zone change to rural residential for the 20.02-acre lot and granted a variance to allow the 19.79-acre lot to remain in the agricultural zoning district.

Staff and the applicant told the commission that the smaller lot contains an oil well site and portions of a hay field and that the owner has no plans to build a residence on that parcel. County zoning requires a minimum parcel size of 40 acres for agricultural zoning; because the proposed lots are under that minimum, the applicant requested a variance for the well-containing parcel and a zone change for the residential parcel. Missouri Ridge Township recommended approval.

Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to approve the subdivision and zone change with staff comments; the motion carried by roll call. Recordation of the plat will be contingent on approval of the zoning change and variance and completion of any standard plat review by county staff. The applicant’s surveyor confirmed the draft plat will create lots to be known as MS 25-0039 and MS 25-0040.

Clarifying details from the hearing: the parent parcel is approximately 40 acres; the new lot sizes are 20.02 and 19.79 acres respectively; township recommended approval; the smaller lot was requested to remain in agricultural zoning due to the presence of an oil well and continued hayfield use. The commission approved the requested actions subject to standard staff conditions and plat-recordation requirements.