Gage County approves poultry special-use permit after debate over tree buffer

The Gage County Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 26-05 on April 29, 2026, granting special-use permit 2026-2 for a poultry facility to be located in the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 8, Township 6 North, Range 7 East, Nemaha Township.

Supervisor Haxby moved to amend the permit to require a vegetative buffer around the facility, reading aloud proposed conditions that would have required a continuous multi-row planting of mixed deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs (a minimum of three rows, designed to achieve about 60% mature density, with trees capable of reaching a minimum mature height of 15 feet). Haxby cited university and agency research — including guidance from the U.S. Forest Service and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — describing multi-row shelter belts as a best-management practice to reduce downwind particulate concentrations and odors.

Planning and zoning staff member Lisa said the planning commission discussed tree plantings during its review but did not add a tree requirement to its recommendation. "We did discuss the planting of trees, but no action was taken," Lisa said.

Applicant Roy Mulder, who gave his name and address for the record, opposed making tree planting a mandatory condition. Mulder told the board that his operation includes free-range birds and said mandatory perimeter plantings could increase predator and rodent access and complicate biosecurity. "I would not wanna put something that would encourage mouse rather than activity of any kind," Mulder said. He added that he and his family would comply if planting were a condition but asked the board to weigh the practical implications.

Supervisors proposed multiple amendment variations — from a full-perimeter three-row buffer to narrower, windward-side plantings and roadside plantings — but the board failed to adopt the fuller-perimeter amendments after tie and seconding issues on several motion attempts. The chair announced the final approval of Resolution 26-05; the transcript records an announced result but shows inconsistent roll-call phrasing in the audio record, and the official meeting minutes should be consulted for the certified tally.

Board members who voiced support for a tree condition noted peer-reviewed studies and NRCS/Forest Service guidance that vegetative buffers can reduce particulate transport and odor; opponents and the applicant raised water-use concerns for dense plantings, predator/rodent risk and potential disease vectors for free-range birds.

The board approved the special-use permit as presented by planning and zoning. The chair invited the applicant to work with county staff if he wishes to propose voluntary mitigation measures; the record indicates staff signaled openness to additional wording if the applicant and supervisors could agree on practicable tree placement and distances. The board moved on to other agenda items and adjourned at 09:37.

Ending: The special-use permit is effective as approved; the record contains multiple amendment proposals and objections, and the planning staff and applicant were left with the option to negotiate additional, site-specific mitigation language for future consideration. For the certified vote tally refer to the official minutes of the Board of Supervisors.