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County denies one feedlot expansion, approves another with conditions after Planning & Zoning review
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Summary
After multiple hearings in spring and fall 2016, the board denied the EschTy Farms expansion permit but later approved the Nordhues feedlot expansion with Planning & Zoning conditions and a one‑year DEQ approval deadline.
Greeley County held several public hearings on Special Use Permits to expand farm feedlots during 2016. On April 26 the board sent the Tim & Yvonne Esch application back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for reconsideration after the local commission split its vote. At a May 24 hearing, after additional testimony and a Planning & Zoning recommendation, the board denied the EschTy Farms Special Use Permit by motion and roll-call vote.
Separately, Ray Nordhues applied to expand an existing feedlot to a Class XIII (9,000–10,000 AU). The board held hearings and deferred action before ultimately approving the Nordhues permit on Oct. 11 with conditions the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended; the county added a requirement that Nordhues obtain DEQ approval within one year. The motion to approve included the Planning & Zoning conditions and passed by roll-call vote.
The minutes record testimony in favor and in opposition for the Esch permit (neighbors and legal representation opposed). For Nordhues, the board’s approval was contingent on compliance with engineering and DEQ conditions before full implementation.
Next steps: The Nordhues permit will require DEQ approval within one year and other engineering constraints; the EschTy permit was denied and would require a new application if pursued again.