Dairy overload? Is it time to revisit special exceptions?

When the first mega-dairy in Carroll County was proposed, Carroll County Area Plan Commission debated - at length - the need for CAFOs to be made special exceptions in the zoning ordinance. Ultimately, they decided against that notion.

Special exceptions are approved by the board of zoning appeals in a public meeting. Special exceptions are a way for the county to control its own destiny.

When a second dairy was proposed near Burrows, neighbors and Cass County residents became alarmed about the project. But again, local zoning ordinances do not require attention by county leaders. If the CAFO was to be located in an unfavorable place for the county for any reason, there is nothing the county can do about it.

There is now a third dairy rumored to be located near Range Line Rd. on CR550N. in Tippecanoe Township. This could very well become the straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back. That camel is Carroll County and its back is the critical financial situation the county is currently experiencing.

The roads in that area are not built for truck traffic. They are winding and hilly. There is only so much money in the highway department budget for road repair. There isn't enough money now to repair roads the way most residents want them done. How can the county afford this new stress? It can't.

Road conditions are only one cost consideration for the county for such a project.

APC should revisit the special exception decision and re-evaluate the need for Carroll County to control its own destiny.