The request for a Confined Animal Feeding Operation at 7430 7th Road in Plymouth was tabled during the August meeting of the Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals.
Joe and Mary Walker and Jenifer and Jimmy Walker are requesting a variance of development standard to allow a reduction in the 1,320 foot residential setback of a CAFO. The request come because Jimmy and Jenifer’s home sits on the farm property but is a separate lot that doesn’t meet the setback requirement.
The Walker brothers told the BZA they plan to have a maximum of 4,400 wean to finish pigs in the totally enclosed operation. 13 pound pigs will arrive by one or two semis and placed into the barn where they will live as the grow to about 225 pounds. At that point the pigs will be trucked out 150 per semi so almost 30 truck loads will go out. Their operation is raising hogs for Co Alliance.
This is the first step in their process. If approved they will then need to seek a permit from IDEM before construction and operations can begin.
Several people attended the meeting opposed to the confined feeding operation and spoke during the public hearing.
Mike Large who lived on Hickory Road is concerned about the smell and the devaluation of his property.
Jeff Berger told the board he has a land contract in progress and the person wants to back out because of the CAFO even though they have already made payments. He said flooring of the roadways is an issue in the area and wonders how that would affect operations. He also said the Walkers are good neighbors but the operation is bad for his business.
A representative from Hickory Road Farms was concerned on the large amounts of manure the hogs will generate and how it would be handled along with the smell bring property values down.
Another neighbor, Dean Weldy on Ironwood Road said he just built a new home on 8½ acres and has plans to put in a pool but who will want to swim with the smell that comes from this type of operation. He said the number of semis needed for this large of operation will overwhelm the county roads.
Gina Gaines on 7B Road was concerned on the effect on well water, property values and traffic.
While the BZA listened to all the comments, they were reminded that the request is a variance of development standard for two homes that sit within the 1,320 foot residential setback, one home owned by one of the farm operators and the second home, directly across the street which Kyle Schinbeckler owns. He sent a letter of support for the CAFO.
Members of the County BZA told the audience the confined feeding operation is a permitted use in a A-1 zoning district and the only reason the Walkers had to appear before the board was due to the two home that sit too close to the operation.
Members of the BZA said they understood the concerns but had to approved the setback variance since the only two properties included were in favor of the operation. The vote was 4 yes and 1 no vote, James Burger.
