West Newton blocks feedlot, for a while

Interim ordinance authorizes study of feedlots and non-farm dwellings

By FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff Writer
ST. GEORGE — After more than 90 minutes of discussion Thursday, West Newton Township supervisors unanimously approved an immediately effective, interim ordinance authorizing a planning and zoning study on feedlots and non-farm dwellings.

Before a packed house at St. George Parish Center, St. Cloud attorney Troy J. Gilchrist of Kennedy & Graven, hired by the township, said the interim ordinance could stand for up to a year while the township studies whether it should adopt a comprehensive plan and official controls.

Such tools could help avoid or mitigate potential impacts of animal agriculture expansion, reduce conflicts between existing feedlots and new non-farm dwellings, and protect township residents from other matters the board may determine are not currently adequately regulated, pursuant to state ;aw/

Gilchrist said the interim ordinance would apply to feedlot expansion permits for expansion of 15 percent of total animal units on the same property in (permitting) process but would not stop fully-permitted projects.

The action came in response to Greg Wendinger’s feedlot expansion request in process for a 720-animal unit, wean-to-finish feedlot with a 102-by-192 barn and 8-foot-deep concrete manure pit underneath it.

Connie Wendinger of New Ulm spoke near the end of Thursday’s township meeting, before supervisors approved the interim ordinance.

She said her son Greg moved to Arizona 10 years ago and operated a successful trucking business before he decided he wanted to farm back here.

“He just wants to be a good farmer like Ronnie and I have been,” Wendinger said.

West Newton Supervisor Lynn Forst said the interim ordinance won’t stop “everything.”

“It means we’ll study this and decide later. This gives the people a chance to decide what’s right,” added Forst.

Jerry Lucas of the Nicollet County Attorney’s Office said county commissioners study what township boards do and make broader decisions for the entire county.

West Newton Township is the first in the county to create such an interim ordinance.

About 20 people attended a conditional use permit hearing for Wendinger’s feedlot expansion request during the May 27, 2008 Nicollet County Commission meeting.

Citizen feedlot issues discussed included health concerns, adding another hog facility, the small farm economy and related subjects.

By a 4-1 vote, commissioners approved a motion to table the permit request to its Tuesday, May 24 meeting.

On June 10, the West Newton Board held a public meeting to discuss the prospects of creating its own feedlot ordinance.

At that meeting, Minnesota Department of Agriculture representative Rob Sip told the board to consider the pros and cons of zoning.

“The township would be on the hook for zoning enforcement unless there’s an agreement with the county, which makes a lot of sense now, with the added cost of government,” said Sip.

Sip said feedlot expansion tools include setbacks, methane digesters, bio filters, feed and manure management, windbreaks and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to mention a few.

“Townships working without county agreements can create confusion. You can’t prevent foul odors all the time. Producers are exempt from state pollution standards 21 days a year, when they agitate their (manure) pits, usually in the spring and fall,” added Sip.

He said restricting odor too much could restrict future feedlot methane and biogas generation potential.

Sip said county feedlot regulations across the state are “all over the board” and that more township regulations make the issue even more complex.

One West Newton resident said they wanted to prevent bigger feedlots of “popping up all over the countryside.”

A complete copy of the interim ordinance will be printed in the newspaper and is available from the township clerk/treasurer.



(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).