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Board of Adjustment rejects wastewater facility permit for Lamar Hutterian project
Summary
The Clark County Board of Adjustment denied a conditional‑use permit for a wastewater treatment facility proposed by Lamar Hutterian, LLC to serve an adjacent religious farming community; staff presented engineering studies but opponents raised groundwater and odor concerns.
The Clark County Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to deny a conditional‑use permit (CUP) that would have allowed Lamar Hutterian, LLC to build a wastewater treatment facility intended to serve a proposed adjacent religious farming community.
Planner Luke Muller outlined the proposal, saying the project would serve up to 150 residents and include two cell stabilization ponds, a gravity sewer network draining to a lift station and a sanitary line crossing under 170th Street. Muller told the board the county’s comprehensive land‑use plan requires site plan review, a public hearing and an environmental assessment for sewer lagoons.
Applicant counsel Kiera Leddy urged the board to “distinguish fact from fear,” and an engineer for the applicant, Brian Friedrichsen of Vantage Point Solutions, discussed soil borings, groundwater studies and pond design. Supporters, including representatives from nearby colonies, said the facility met state guidelines and that the colony pays taxes and has the right to reside in the county.
Opponents including adjoining landowners raised questions about whether the evaporation system would handle all wastewater, the potential for odors and the risk of contaminants reaching private wells. After deliberation the board voted (motion made by Commissioner Chris Sass, seconded by Commissioner David Spieker) and the motion failed with all five members recorded as voting no.
