APC approves amended zoning ordinance
By Debbie Lowe

With just over 50 percent of the Carroll County Area Plan Commission's members present at the Sept. 26 meeting, all members voted to send the proposed amended zoning ordinance to the county commissioners for final adoption.

"This is a modest improvement over the one we've been using for the past 35 years," Camden appointee PeteWagoner said.

Wagoner explained with the current version of the amended ordinance, zoning administrator Dale Huffer would be issuing building permits for any large confined or concentrated animal feeding operation. Local residents would not have the opportunity to learn of plans prior to the permit being issued.

Wagoner suggested a provision be added to the proposed ordinance to allow review of all large operations' plans.

"Without the provision, I just don't think the ordinance serves the county residents adequately," he said. "More and more states are imposing moratoriums on CAFOs.We'd like to know more about the (Ardensen dairy) project."

"That's my concern. I won't be voting to approve the ordinance," he concluded.

Huffer informed the group that to send the amended ordinance to commissioners, five out of the eight APC members had to vote in favor of the measure, not a simple majority of those present.

'In an effort to make progress with the ordinance," Wagoner voted for the action. He urged other members to "have an open mind when a problem arises."

"It doesn't go far enough," said Elaine McCain of Camden. "We needed that special exception."

Cutler area resident Terris Ayres disagreed. "I think the special exception would be a very poor idea."

Flora attorney Miriam Robeson referred to a special exception as an "undo burden" for large operators. She said that designation would give "anyone with an agenda to come and talk about it."

"Those opposing the dairy are not opposed to local pork producers," McCain said. "It would be good to have the good neighbor policy we have with pork producers."

Other business

APC attorney Patrick Manahan said he reviewed the contract offered by Ground Rules, Inc. to develop a comprehensive land use plan. Manahan stated there were "a number of issues that needed to be resolved" before signing the document.

Manahan detailed provisions set forth in the contract and called the undertaking, "a very intensive project on our part."

He recommended a steering committee be formed prior to finalizing the agreement.

The re-zoning request from agricultural to urban residential on US421, owned by William and Patricia Bell, was approved. Commissioners will provide the final decision.

The next meeting will be Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

Board of Zoning Appeals

Variance requests from the elevation requirement in a floodway fringe area from Dean Yien and Linda K. Brown, both of Hambridge Dr., were granted.