Erin Meyer, Daily Reporter Staff Writer

The Hancock County Commissioners took steps today to protect farmers when development creeps too close.

They amended the county zoning code to mandate a 750-foot buffer between livestock buildings that are part of a confined feeding operation and any nearby homes. Owners of at least one CFO had approached the commissioners to express fear that complaints would mount along with nearby residential development.

CFOs typically house hundreds of animals, and the collection and distribution of their waste creates an odor.

Under the existing ordinance, pig farmers cannot create or expand a confined feeding operation less than 750 feet from any residence. But the same buffer is not required of residential development on parcels 10 acres or smaller.

The rule makes expansion for CFOs that abut residential development all but impossible.

Some farmers, particularly those who do not wish to sell off land to developerss, say the same rules should apply to new residential development. That's what today's action is designed to accomplish.

Raymond Kerkhof, his brother and father - owners of a small-scale CFO near the intersection of CRs 400E and 400N - came before the commissioners in April hoping to avert what they described as a conflict brewing between the farm family and new neighbors set to build four homes a stone's throw from their barns.

"Depending on where they build on the lot, those new homes could be as close as 50 feet to our operation," Kerkhof said. "People are not going to be happy."

The commissioners pledged to address the problem. Though an amendment to the ordinance would not likely apply to the Kerkhofs' future neighbors.

"Even if we can't stop this project, we will make them understand," Commissioner Jack Heiden said at the time.

The commissioners sent changes to the ordinance to the Hancock County Area Plan Commission for approval.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management sets the 750-feet setback requirements for hog farmers.

The loophole exists because IDEM provides no oversight for residential development. The onus is on the county.

"The new ordinance is intended to protect the confined feeding operation," said Mike Dale, executive director of the Hancock County Area Plan Commission.

The 750 feet of buffer will be measured from structure to structure.

Senator Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, sponsored a bill in the recent legislative session that was intended to mitigate the challenges livestock farmers face in parts of Indiana where development is encroaching on rural communities. The bill died.

"I think that absolutely is a good approach to take," Gard said of the county's actions. "The owner (of a confined feeding operation) should not have to adjust their operation when they are within the (law) when a neighbor builds too close to them."

Gard said Hancock County will be setting the bar with the new ordinance.

"I think in general counties all over the state will have to come to grips with this," she added. "Hopefully it will head off problems in the future."
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