Polk County Zoning & Planning Commission

May 2, 2007

The Polk County Planning Commission met in Osceola at the Polk County Courthouse on May 2, 2007. Chairman Brian Schmidt called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. with the following board members present: Keith Peterson, Chris Hayes, Wally Larson, Brian Schmidt, Larry Neujahr and Chris Whitmore. Alfred L”Heureux joined the meeting at 7:37 p.m. and members Bill Zoucha and Corwin Hengelfelt were absent. Also in attendance were County Attorney Ron Colling, Zoning Administrator Dave Udey and ten guests.

Chairman Schmidt announced that County Planning Commission meetings are conducted in accordance with the laws for open meetings, which were posted in the meeting room.

The minutes of the commission’s April 4, 2007 meeting were read and approved.

Guest Mike Jeffrey spoke to the commission regarding an application to rezone property he owns which was scheduled for public hearing at 7:45 p.m. (agenda item 5). Because of potential business opportunities Mr. Jeffrey wishes to withdraw his application at this time.

Commission member Keith Peterson excused himself from the meeting room at 8:13 p.m.

Larry Neujahr made a motion that was seconded by Chris Whitmore to open a public hearing concerning a special use permit application for property in the SW1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 18, Township 14 North, Range 3 West. Roll Call vote: ayes: Hayes, Larson, Schmidt, Neujahr, L’Heuruex and Whitmore. Zoucha, Peterson and Hengelfelt were absent. Motion carried and Schmidt opened the public hearing at 8:16 p.m.

Administrator Udey stated that the public hearing for this permit request had been properly advertised.

Special use permit applicant, Kevin Peterson, shared with those present intentions to expand his existing hog feeding facility from a 2400 head operation to 4800 head. The proposal involves the construction of an additional 80’ by 240’ finishing barn with an eight-foot deep contained pit for animal waste storage. Peterson offered information pertaining to odor and waste management as it relates to the potential expansion.

Guest Adam Peterson spoke in support of the proposed expansion and no unfavorable comment was heard.

Chris Whitmore moved and Chris Hayes seconded a motion to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: All commission members present – aye. Keith Peterson, Corwin Hengelfelt and Bill Zoucha were absent. Motion carried and Brian Schmidt closed the public hearing at

8:30 p.m.

The Planning Commission reviewed the application and recognized that the intended expansion represents an increase in animal units that moves the feeding operation from a

class “B” to a class “C” intensive livestock feeding operation, as defined by the county’s zoning regulations. Distance requirements were addressed and the guidelines checklist for special use permits found in Article 6, page 33 of Polk County’s Zoning Regulations was used to evaluate the application. Chris Hayes moved and Wally Larson seconded a motion to recommend to the County Board approval of the special use permit application by Kevin Peterson (Ranchland Pork) for the expansion of a hog finishing unit in the SW1/4 NE1/4 of Section 18, Township 14 North, Range 3 West. Roll call vote: Hengelfelt, Peterson, and Zoucha – absent; all commission members present – aye. Motion carried.

Being no further business Chris Hayes made a motion that was seconded by

Alfred L’Heureux to adjourn. Chairman Schmidt adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m. The Planning Commission’s next meeting is pending at this time.

Larry Neujahr, Secretary