ROYAL CENTER — Opponents of a proposed hog farm question the procedure behind its potential approval while raising concerns about the road that would lead to the operation.
Aaron and Farrah Hines, Burnettsville, are looking to develop the facility east of 1100 West and north of 500 North in Cass County, southwest of Royal Center. The operation would include two buildings over 35,000 square feet each holding a maximum of 4,800 hogs each, according to Logansport/Cass County/Walton Planning Department records. Manure would be stored underneath the buildings before being transported to and injected into nearby farm fields, the planning department records state.
The Hineses first need approval from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Cass County Board of Zoning Appeals.
Jim Brugh, a Logansport-based attorney, represents opposing residents who live near the proposed hog farm. He said the Hineses have no right to petition the board of zoning appeals because they don't own the land the hog farm is intended for.
Aaron Hines' parents own the land. Logansport/Cass County/Walton Planning Director Arin Shaver said the board of zoning appeals can vote on the matter if the landowners sign an affidavit allowing the process to move forward.
The board of zoning appeals was scheduled to vote on the hog farm Monday night, July 25, but delayed the decision until the affidavit is finalized. Shaver said Tuesday it will also delay any testimony board members will be able to consider, despite the comments made Monday.
Not all of the board's members attended Monday's meeting. If they attend the next meeting or if the board were to get new members, they wouldn't be able to vote on the hog farm because they haven't yet heard any testimony, Shaver went on to explain.
"When you continue a case, basically everything has to be stated again because it's like viewing a new case," she said.
Brugh disagrees.
"She can't say, 'Nothing happened, start from square one,'" Brugh said Tuesday. "She has no authority to do that."
It's not the only procedural aspect regarding the hog farm Brugh is concerned with. He said the hog farm's Indiana Department of Environmental Management application requires the Hineses to disclose if anyone else has a financial interest in the endeavor. Brugh added the application doesn't disclose any such information but that Aaron Hines contradicted the requirement at Monday's board meeting by mentioning a contract with those who would sell him hogs.
Hines disagreed with Brugh's assessment in an interview Tuesday.
"I believe we are in full compliance with what we need to do," Hines said. "This isn't something that we're just haphazardly wandering through."
The road that would lead to the hog farm — 1100 West — borders Cass and White Counties. It's known as 1500 East in White County, which maintains the road.
Brugh said trucks hauling hogs and manure would compromise the quality of the road, as it has a gravel surface.
Hines said he intends to meet with White County officials about improving the road. Logansport/Cass County/Walton Zoning Administrator Chris Gaumer said Tuesday that Cass County officials plan to meet with their White County counterparts on the matter as well.
Brugh also said the potential hog and manure operations leave his clients concerned about odor along with environmental and health safety.
"Why should one family, because of their financial interests, trump the quality of life of all the other families in the neighborhood?" Brugh said.
Hines said he sympathized with opponents' concerns. He added if approved, a significant amount of money, time and energy would be invested into making the farm "a state-of-the-art facility" that would be as accommodating as possible for neighbors.
The operation would result in a couple new jobs and promote locally raised food while supporting the local trucking and pork processing industries, Hines continued.
"We think if it's allowed to go through and operate, the local community will see this is not something that will hinder their way of life or property or their air as adversely as they may think," he said. "I think it will be a really good thing and we're going to work to try to make it as best as possible for everyone involved."