ALBION — These little pigs won’t be going to market, at least, not any time soon. An Albion hog farm proposal ran into a snag Monday that may have halted the project entirely.
Noble County commissioners on Monday denied a farmer’s request for a zoning change that would allow him to operate a 2,000-head confined feeding hog barn. It was the second major obstacle Kenneth Troyer had encountered after his previous request for a variance was also denied.
In explaining their 3-0 vote, commissioners on Monday cited potential health hazards and the possibility that the hog farm’s proximity would damage property values of adjoining residential lots.
“I do have concerns about these properties, especially the one that stands vacant, because I think (the hog farm) would have a negative impact,” Commissioner Chad Kline said in making the motion to deny the request.
Troyer spoke only briefly and did not remain to make a comment. A call placed to his phone was not immediately returned.
The hog farm was to be located at 4344 N. C.R. 500W on the property of Kenneth and Lori Ann Troyer. Troyer obtained approval from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the new structure, but the county changed its setback requirements in the meantime. Kline said the commissioners made the change in response to hog-farm-related complications they had observed recently in Steuben County. The changes increased the setback requirement and disallowed hog farms on A1-zoned property unless it was rezoned as A3 agricultural land.
Troyer could appeal Monday’s decision, but success would be unlikely, according to Steve Hagen, an attorney representing Dwight Busche, the owner of property bordering Troyer’s. Busche opposes the project, along with several others who live on or own land near the site of the proposed pig farm.
“I suppose it’s possible, theoretically, for them to appeal,” Hagen said. “They could try to change the language itself. But that would take the Planning Commission. Fortunately for me, the unlikely sometimes happens. If it didn’t, no one would need lawyers!”
The commissioners’ decision Monday went against a recommendation from the Plan Commission, which advised in favor of the zone change. Only one Plan Commission member argued against the change, saying it was not consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan, which “requires that there be responsible agricultural development within the community.” He added, “This will have a negative impact on surrounding property,” and continued, “The immediate property values will be affected in a negative manner due to this operation being approved.”
Arguments on the written Plan Commission forms in favor of the hog farm included that it would “create revenue via jobs,” and that it would be a sustainable development because it would generate natural fertilizer. Others pointed out that nearby land already is being used for agricultural purposes, and that IDEM already had granted approval and would oversee the hog farming operation.