Planning Commission backs Swine Ridge LLC feedlot with tree-buffer, road-maintenance conditions

The Davison County Planning Commission on June 2 recommended that the Board of Adjustment approve a conditional use permit for a concentrated animal feeding operation proposed by Rosedale Colony, doing business as Swine Ridge LLC.

Dennis Waldner, representing the applicant, described plans for two barns totaling 1,920 animal units (about 4,800 head) on property in the NW1/4 of Section 33, T 103 N, R 61 W of the 5th P.M. in Davison County. Waldner said the colony expects to own the land and buildings and currently has no plans to expand beyond the two barns. He said manure from the operation would be applied to farmland owned by John Millan in October and November and would be incorporated into the soil by knifing it in at an approximate depth of six inches.

Neighbors and nearby landowners raised concerns about odor, potential well contamination, water runoff and erosion, the capacity and condition of township roads for heavy truck traffic, and impacts to subsurface tile drains. Lance Olsen and Larry Olsen urged the applicants to relocate the facility farther west to avoid flooding and road impacts. Jason Rhoades, who lives south of the site, said he had invested in his property and asked for multiple rows of trees as an odor and noise buffer. Jane Rhoades expressed worry about contamination of her well. Jay Smith said he was neutral but concerned about odor, traffic and the quantity of manure that can safely be applied to local fields.

Applicant representatives presented multiple mitigation measures. Attorney Kiera Leddy said the proposal meets applicable ordinance requirements and that applicants are willing to exceed minimum standards, including considering odor-control additives and planting buffers. Brad Greenway, speaking as a township board member, said the applicants had met with township officials and discussed traffic routes; the application included a road agreement with Beulah Township. Brian Friedrichsen, the applicants' engineer, said a nutrient management plan is being developed with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), that manure storage will be self-contained to limit groundwater exposure, and that mortalities would be removed to the colony for disposal. Friedrichsen and the applicants said fields receiving manure would be reviewed by DANR to ensure nutrients are applied at agronomic rates and to prevent overapplication.

Commissioners asked about ownership, acreage for manure application and potential expansion. Waldner said he was unsure of the exact acreage needed to meet state nutrient-application requirements but indicated the operation has access to sufficient land and that he expects to acquire roughly 10 acres related to the site. He said there are no plans for additional barns. The commission also requested the zoning standard in Section 11:06(A)(2) be displayed and reviewed during deliberations.

After discussion, Planning Commission member Lewis Bainbridge moved, and member Steve Thiesse seconded, a recommendation to the Board of Adjustment to approve the conditional use permit subject to two conditions: that the applicants plant trees as a buffer and that the applicants update the road-haul agreement to include road maintenance provisions. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Chair Bruce Haines, Steve Thiesse, Ray Gosmire, Lewis Bainbridge, Chris Nebelsick and Mike Blaalid voting aye; Dave Anderson was absent.

The Board of Adjustment will consider the commission's recommendation and any additional conditions or requirements under county ordinance and state DANR rules. The record shows that questions about exact acreage for manure application, long-term monitoring, and specific odor-control systems remain open and will be subject to review by the Board of Adjustment and DANR.