The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a controversial request by A&M Ag Inc. for a setback variance on a property purchased to construct two buildings for hog production. The zoning ordinance stipulates that the buildings must be set back from all property lines by 100 feet. The request was to reduce that to 50-foot setbacks on the north and west sides of the property, located at 6665E. 700S. in Burlington Township, for two 101’x341’ buildings which will house 4,000 hogs in each.

BZA member Kirk Germond, who also sits on the Area Plan Commission, advocated the group adhere to the current standards. He explained that he had attended the public input meetings for the proposed new zoning ordinance and he was impressed with the number of county residents who spoke in favor of increasing setbacks rather than decreasing them.

The majority of the BZA members must determine that it is appropriate to proceed to grant or deny a variance only after agreeing that: • The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community; • The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a substantially adverse manner; and • The strict application of the terms of the zoning ordinance will result in practical difficulties in the use of the property.

BZA members Pat Baker (whose term on the BZA expired Dec. 31, and was allowed to continue in his previous role until his replacement is named), George Wallace and Bob McCain all voted to approve the first two questions. Germond disagreed.

“It’s in the country and it’s what country life is,” Wallace commented.

Baker and Wallace voted to approve the third question, Germond disagreed and McCain abstained. Baker, who led the meeting, clarified with attorney Cindy Harmon, that in the event that one of the three questions is not approved by the majority of the membership, the request for a variance would be denied because the group could not proceed to the vote to approve or disapprove. McCain then requested to change his vote and was allowed to do so. Therefore, a majority of the members voted to proceed with the vote to approve the request.

A&M Ag presented written documentation that the adjoining property owners to the north and to the west do not object to the variance.

It was noted by audience members that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has not yet issued a permit for the operation on that site. The A&M design engineer explained there will be blower fans on the north side of each building and smaller fans to the west. A&M agreed to a stipulation of the variance to install trees as a buffer on the north and shrubs on the west side of the property. Other business

A variance to White and Carroll County REMC to erect an 87-foot above ground tower on property owned by Thomas Ives at 113 W. Franklin St. in Delphi was granted. The zoning ordinance limits the altitude of a tower to 45 feet.

REMC line supervisor Stan Quinn reported that the tower will enhance radio signals. He said REMC will provide space on the tower for the City of Delphi to install a repeater to also enhance its radio communications.

BZA officers elected were: Wallace, chairperson; McCain, vice chairperson; zoning adm. Kathy Mylet, secretary.