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Greeley County denies soil‑builder (Grit) special‑use permit after neighbor concerns
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Summary
After public hearings and testimony from applicants and neighbors, the board denied a permit to stockpile and apply Soil Builder II (Grit) on specified parcels, citing concerns about floodplain, disease risk and failure to meet permit conditions in a related case.
At multiple meetings in March–April and again in August 2012 the Greeley County Board heard applications for Special Use Permits to stockpile and spread soil amendment products (referred to in minutes as Soil Builder I/II or 'Grit') and for manure spreading.
Applicants including Roy Stam and Les Denning and representatives from Chamness Technology testified in favor of permits, describing intended acreage and application plans. Planning & Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler presented permit applications and recommended conditions that included contacting the Planning & Zoning Administrator prior to delivery, stockpile setbacks from neighbors, incorporation of the product into soil as soon as feasible and annual administrative review.
In a public hearing on Aug. 14, neighbors raised concerns about disease risks, water contamination, and floodplain impacts related to Grit. After discussion the board voted to deny the permit to apply Soil Builder II (Grit) on the SE 1/4 of S‑28 T‑18 R‑11, citing the concerns expressed by neighbors and potential public‑health and environmental risks. Other special‑use permits (for manure spreading or different parcels) were approved with explicit conditions requiring coordination with the Planning & Zoning Administrator and annual reviews.
The board’s actions reflect a case‑by‑case review of special‑use applications balancing agricultural practice, neighbor concerns and environmental safeguards. Planning & Zoning was tasked to enforce permit conditions and follow up on complaints in the months after approvals.