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Residents press commission as county considers per-animal-unit CAFO setback formula
Summary
Planning staff proposed simplifying feedlot classes into a per-animal-unit setback formula (proposed 1.32 feet × animal-unit number) and making 1,000+ animal units subject to conditional use and state permits. Multiple residents raised odor, property-value and enforcement concerns; commissioners agreed to continue drafting and to return for more public input.
Lincoln County staff presented a draft that would replace multiple CAFO classes with a numeric, per-animal-unit setback approach intended to correct inconsistencies in the current charted classes. The draft discussed applying a factor (staff showed 1.32 feet times the animal-unit number) to calculate the dwelling setback and setting 200–999 animal units as permitted special uses while making 1,000+ units conditional and subject to state permitting.
Tony Brown explained the impetus: "The real issue is...when you go to that class A, it doesn't increase" setbacks consistently as operations grow. The draft seeks a single, predictable formula so setbacks scale with facility size.
Public comment was extensive. Ernest Strottmeyer described repeated summer odors that "make it impossible to enjoy being outdoors," and urged the commission not to reduce existing protections. Other speakers raised concerns about the county’s ability to enforce conditions, road wear from large operations, the economic effects of large-scale corporate ownership, and the risk that multiple LLCs could be used to fragment operations and avoid thresholds.
Speakers sought clarity on the animal-unit math (for example, pork operations may use 0.4 animal units per hog), how the formula would affect minimum protections for existing residents, and whether a cap or waiver limits would be retained. Commissioners and staff discussed potential minimum setbacks (e.g., 1,320 feet used in some sections), caps on setback growth for very large operations, and preserving a waiver process that could be time-limited rather than perpetual.
No ordinance vote occurred. Commissioners praised the public input and asked staff to refine the math and draft clearer language so the proposal does not unintentionally reduce protections for residents; the board scheduled continued discussion and more detailed draft language for a future meeting.
