Stropiq, a Swiss-based real estate company has asked the Williams County Commission (the elected body) to force its Planning and Zoning Committee to make a recommendation on Williston Crossing. a proposed $500 million development on the outskirts of the oil patch hub of Williston, North Dakota.  The project would include 1 million square feet of space for retail, entertainment, office, hotel and housing development.  Stropiq characterizes the development as a regional destination with a water park and other attractions that would draw people from southern Canada, eastern Montana and surrounding areas in North Dakota.

The Williston Planning and Zoning Committee voted to table the proposal in order to study the effects of the development on local resources such as fire protection, utilities, roads, and sewer and water service.

An article from the Williston Herald is here.  US Census Bureau QuickFacts about Williston can be found here.  According to the Census Bureau, the population of Williston grew 41 percent from 2010 to 2013, from 14,787 to 20,850.  How many communities of 15,000 are prepared for 1 million square feet of additional development, let alone cope with the stresses associated with 41 percent population growth in 3 years?  Maybe the the Planning and Zoning Committee is right to get all the facts first on this project before making its recommendation.