Kevin Howell, Herald Journal
YMCA Camp Tecumseh, a 90-year-old outdoor camp for youngsters and a multitude of others from around the world, lost in its effort to stop a proposed 9,000 hog confined feeding operation from being located across from the camp.
On Monday morning, White County Commissioners approved a zoning ordinance change for property near the camp that opens the door to the hog operation. The decision to rezone from agricultural to industrial agriculture came after nearly two hours of testimony both in favor of the proposed ordinance change and against it.
By all indications in the packed-to-standing room only commissioners room in the White County Building, most of those present were there to support the camp’s opposition to the change.
The change in zoning involves about seven acres out of a 70-acre tract where two 102 feet by 241 feet buildings will house more than 4,000 hogs each. The manure from the operation – about 3.5 million gallons – will be injected into the 70 acres plus other surrounding fields.
In the last two weeks about 230 letters in opposition were sent, and in the past 72 hours a
change.org petition garnered more than 3,100 signatures from residents in the area, and statewide, and from 16 other countries, according to Camp Tecumseh CEO Scott Brosman.
“There have been 230 letters received against the zoning, and in an online petition over 3,100 signatures were gathered,” Brosman said.