Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Beaver County approves Ag Protection Area for Albrecht property after contested public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing with residents both supporting and opposing the Albrechts’ application, the Beaver County Commission voted unanimously to designate the requested area an agricultural protection area, citing statutory qualifications and nuisance-risk concerns raised by supporters.
The Beaver County Commission voted unanimously Jan. 6 to approve an agricultural protection area (APA) requested by members of the Albrecht family, following a public hearing that drew supporters and nearby residents who opposed the move.
Zoning administrator Kyle Blackner and Ag Protection Board secretary Jim Wicker outlined the state Ag Protection Act and the county’s process, telling the commission the application meets statutory requirements including a minimum contiguous area and existing agricultural uses. The Ag Protection Board and Planning and Zoning Advisory Board reviewed the application and recommended approval.
Supporters, including Brett and Jed Albrecht, said the land has been farmed by their families for generations and that the APA will protect grazing, feedlot uses and other activities from nuisance complaints and encroachment as nearby towns grow. “We’re just trying to preserve the agricultural use of this property as it is,” Brett Albrecht said during public comment.
Opponents, including nearby property owner Tony Buzbee, argued the designation was unnecessary for parts of the area adjacent to Myersville, raised concerns about dogs and kennel activity on nearby parcels, and said recent permit changes suggested the APA might be being used to shield other uses. Buzbee said there is “a lawsuit on the books at this time” related to neighboring issues; that allegation was raised in published minutes and repeated in public comment during the hearing.
Rebecca Albrecht, an applicant, responded that the statute does not consider personal annoyance or noise sensitivity as valid grounds to deny an APA and that the application met the code’s criteria, including acreage and primary agricultural ownership.
Commissioners discussed the statutory test for APA designation and the rising frequency of applications in the county as development pressure increases. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the application; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The chair directed staff to prepare the final ordinance language and signatures.
The action is a legislative land-use designation; it preserves the property’s current agricultural uses and does not by itself authorize new uses beyond existing zoning or the county’s permitting process. The commission recorded its approval at the meeting and staff said they will finalize paperwork for the ordinance.
What happens next: staff will prepare the ordinance and the signatures necessary to finalize the APA designation. Any administrative conditions or appeals would follow county process and any statutory timelines for notice or challenge.
