Plan commission approves development plan for 80,000‑bird confined feeding operation in Butler area

The DeKalb County Plan Commission on June 17 approved a development plan for a confined feeding operation the applicant says will house about 80,000 broilers on a 79‑acre parcel at 4023 County Road 53 in Butler.

Staff member Chris Gomer told the commission the site is zoned A‑2 agricultural and the proposed development meets the county's development‑plan standards, including setbacks, impervious‑surface limits and height restrictions. The application packet and staff report show proposed front, side and rear setbacks well above the minimums, a total impervious surface of about 3 percent, and building heights of roughly 20 feet, below the 35‑foot maximum.

Brian Munch, the applicant's engineer, described the project as two 600‑by‑60‑foot houses on a 79‑acre parcel that will disturb roughly 18 acres and use an existing driveway approved by the highway department. "This confined feeding operation will be for approximately 80,000 chickens or 80,000 broilers," Munch said, and he added that manure produced by the operation is planned for land application across 125 acres that the Troyer family has contracted within the region.

Neighbors raised concerns during public comment. Terry Houser, who said he lives across County Road 40 from the proposed site, urged the commission to reject the plan, saying he and his wife have lived on family land for decades and are "totally against it." Houser described worries about outdoor air quality and the impact of manure spreading on nearby yards and residents.

Commission discussion noted that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the County Highway Department, the County Board of Health, the Drainage Board and the Soil and Water Conservation District had provided reports or nonobjection letters; staff said IDEM approval arrived shortly before the meeting. The staff recommendation included conditions and continuing commission jurisdiction: development must begin within three years and be completed within seven, and no certificate of occupancy will be issued until the applicant files written evidence of compliance with any required conditions from county or state agencies.

A motion to approve Petition 26‑19 was made and seconded; the commission approved the development plan by roll call vote with all voting members present voting yes. The plan commission retained continuing jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the conditions described in the staff report.

The applicant may now proceed with permits subject to the conditions the plan commission read into the record and required agency approvals.