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Meeker County approves Alpha Alli Dairy expansion after public concerns about odor and runoff
Summary
Following a contested public hearing, the board approved a conditional use permit for Alpha Alli Dairy’s feed‑lot expansion with conditions including vegetative buffers and operational restrictions intended to limit odor and runoff; neighbors raised repeated concerns during the hearing.
The Meeker County Board voted April 21 to approve a conditional use permit to expand Alpha Alli Dairy’s permitted animal units and manure storage after a public hearing in which nearby residents raised concerns about odor and potential runoff to local waterways.
Land‑use director Greg Schultz summarized the application: the proposal includes additional confinement buildings and a substantial increase in lagoon/manure storage capacity so the operation can move to primarily fall spreading rather than spreading in both spring and fall. Schultz said the proposed expansions would increase permitted animal‑unit capacity and enlarge liquid storage so the farm can time applications to reduce agronomic and odor impacts.
Several neighbors spoke to the board about recurring strong odors and worries that heavy rains could carry manure toward nearby lakes and ditches. Staff and the dairy’s representatives explained that current and proposed practices include dragline application and injection, volume limits per acre under MPCA rules, and recordkeeping requirements; they also discussed vegetative buffers along Highway 24 as a mitigation measure. One staff member noted that expanding lagoon capacity could allow crust formation that helps contain odor and that spreading only once in the fall may reduce the number of odor events.
Board members and staff emphasized that the site review considered MPCA rules and setbacks and that the CUP contained mitigation conditions, including vegetation buffers and monitoring commitments. After the hearing and amendments to the permit conditions, the board approved the CUP by voice vote.
