Letter: Concerning CAFOs in Henry County

Currently local homeowners have protection, according to the Henry County Development Code, that prohibits the locating of a variety of structures and objects within a certain distance from a site for “Residential Use.” These protections specify distances that must be maintained for a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), a building for the manufacturing of explosives, a junkyard and numerous other entities.

At the July 26 meeting, the Henry County Planning Commission discussed plans to change the Code by changing the term “Residential Use” to “Residential District.” This move was motivated because some individuals want to build a Confined Animal Feeding Operation, which would house up to 8000 hogs, closer than 2000 feet from someone’s home. If this proposal passes, the change would apply not only to CAFO’s but also to the manufacturing of explosives, junkyards and the other entities.

In the past, people who owned farmland would sometimes build a home on the land. Because they did not go through the formal process of having the land that the home was placed on rezoned “residential”, the land is still designated “agricultural.” Sometimes when a farm was sold, the new owner would sell off the home and just retain the empty fields. The people who purchased these homes may not be aware that their home could still be designated “agricultural.” Consequently, there are a large of number homes of farmers and other homeowners in rural Henry County where their homes are zoned “agricultural.”

If the change that the Planning Commission is considering is implemented, a homeowner who has not formally had their home rezoned will have no protections whatsoever. Such a home would be treated by county officials as if it were an empty field.
In the July 28th Courier-Times article (Livestock, homes nearby at issue) it was reported that Planning Commission President Richard Byers said that “We’re not changing any of those (distance) numbers” ... “We’re just trying to clarify how it is applied.”

However, for those homes that are in a rural area and not in a “residential district,” the distances will be reduced from 2000 ft. minimum separation distance to zero required minimum distance setback. A builder would be able to place a building as close to his neighbor’s home as he wants.

I believe that all homeowners have a right to protect their homes and their families from hazardous sites being built too close to their homes.

The Planning Commission plans to discuss this proposal at the August 23 meeting. The meeting will be held at 7:00 in the courthouse annex at the corner of 12th Street and Broad. This meeting is open to the public.

Ron Craig,
Henry County

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