Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agriculture Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
P&Z recommends variance to allow poultry farm litter storage building after owner cites NRCS funding and biosecurity needs
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend a variance allowing a litter-storage (stack) house within setbacks at a poultry operation, after the applicant and NRCS said the structure was sized to handle litter during quarantines and to prevent runoff to a nearby creek.
The Madison County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of a variance request for a poultry operation to construct a stack house for litter storage that would sit inside the usual setback on one corner.
The applicant (identified in the hearing record as "Penguin Paul") told the commission the existing on-site 40-by-50 building lacks capacity and that litter is being dumped into a parking area where runoff reaches an on-site creek. The applicant said the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has reviewed and approved an NRCS-funded plan and that the new stack house must be built at the specific size NRCS requires in order to receive funding.
The applicant told the commission, "All we're trying to do is protect any litter being left outside, the rain belting, and then run-in into the creeks." He said the planned building would allow composting and indoor storage so litter would not be left in the elements during wet periods, and that it would reduce the potential for material to wash into the creek.
Neighbors voiced objections. Jeff Talbot said an expanded structure would take away a place where he previously expected to build and argued past promises on grading and septic had not been fulfilled. Talbot said, "I'm a bench man. I ain't gonna be able to build my daughter's house right here." Another neighbor questioned whether NRCS funding and site alteration would solve longstanding concerns about pits and septic placement.
Commission discussion centered on the environmental trade-offs raised by the applicant and the neighbors. Several commissioners said they preferred litter stored in a covered, controlled building rather than exposed on the ground where runoff carries material to the creek. After discussion the commission made a motion; the motion was seconded and carried. The planning commission will forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of Commissioners for final action at the Nov. 3 public hearing.
The applicant presented NRCS plans and said the proposed design replaces on-ground pits with a composting/stacking system inside the new building. Several neighbors remained opposed, citing proximity to homes, past unfulfilled site promises and changed site grading.
Provenance (transcript excerpts): "Penguin Paul, applicant ... requesting a variance ... 90 foot deficit on 1 corner" (applicant introduction); and "The motion is second and approved, and we will recommend to the board of commission that this variance be allowed." (final motion).
