ANGOLA — The Steuben County Plan Commission voted 5-4 on a special exception for a proposed 4,800-hog confined animal feeding operation that it does not negatively affect the comprehensive plan Wednesday.
Keith Werner, a third-generation farmer and owner of K & D Contract Pork, petitioned for the special exception from the county due to the size of his proposed CAFO.
Before a standing-room only crowd, plan commissioners voting for the special exception not negatively impacting the comprehensive plan were Steve Bachelor, Crystal VanPelt, Kim Kepler, Bill Schmidt and Peter Keck. Voting against it were Rod Peterson, Larry Gilbert, Linda Hansen and Jim Crowl.
Werner’s CAFO is proposed for a 60-acre site at 6100 W. C.R. 200N that is near Pine Canyon, Crooked and Lime lakes and Lake Gage. His plan is to have two barns, each containing a maximum 2,400 grow-to-finish hogs. He received his Indiana Department of Environmental Management CAFO permit in January 2014.
Patrick Proctor, one of Werner’s attorneys, said his client intends to expand farming operations.
“We want to protect farmers and promote small industry,” Proctor said. “He wants to keep the farm operation … and make it lucrative. He is not some corporation coming in — he’s a neighbor. This use will not affect the overall community. When you don’t allow it you lose small business opportunities.”
Werner’s legal team was asked extensively about manure management.
“Obviously, it will generate manure and will be transported off site. There’s no shortage of farmers who want manure,” Proctor said, adding he was confident odor and pollution would not be a problem. “Everyone’s assuming it will cause smell and pollution.”
John Schwarz, Werner’s other attorney, said land application is up for negotiation.
“We will adjust the manure spread location,” Schwarz said. “We’re in discussions with a consolidated group.”
“We have lots of lakes and streams and a lot of people will be living near it,” Crowl said.
Peterson said he grew up on a hog farm and felt area residents would suffer from the CAFO by not being allowed to enjoy their homes.
“It’s all about respect. We respect farmers, they respect us,” Hansen said.
The Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals will now have the final say on the special exception. That meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 26, 6 p.m. in the Steuben Community Center’s auditorium, 317 S. Wayne St. Public comment will be taken. The rescheduling was due to a legal advertisement not being published in the time frame to meet statutory requirements.