Committee approves rezoning to let Ealer Brothers expand fertilizer sales and blending operations

The Champaign County zoning committee voted unanimously to recommend an amendment to the zoning map (case 167AM-25) to rezone a three-acre tract in Ogden Township from AG-1 (Agricultural) to B-1 (Business) to allow expansion of an existing farm-chemicals and fertilizer sales operation. Mr. Farney moved the rezoning and Ms. Locke seconded; the committee approved the recommendation. The application is to expand operations of an existing Ealer Brothers facility at 2475 East County Road 2100 North, Saint Joseph. The proposal would permit storage and blending (mixing) of blended fertilizer on the three-acre tract immediately east of the existing facility. John Hall told the committee the Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended the rezoning unanimously at its August 17 meeting and that the proposal aligns with goals and objectives of the county's land resource management plan. Dustin Ealer, representing Ealer Brothers, was present for committee questions. No committee member requested removal from the consent agenda; the chair noted the item would be placed on the consent agenda unless pulled later by a member. Why this matters: rezoning to B-1 would change allowable uses on the parcel to include retail and business activities associated with farm-chemical sales and on-site blending. The change could affect neighboring agricultural uses and requires local oversight for storage and handling of agricultural chemicals. What happened next: the committee recommended approval by unanimous vote and, absent a future request, will place the rezoning on the full county board consent agenda.