Residents in ‘fowl’ mood over location of proposed chicken farm
Administrator | Mar 12, 2018 | Comments 4
Several Victoria Road residents have requested to speak at Tuesday night’s council meeting to support, and to share concerns about zoning for an industrial chicken farm and its possible effects on wells, property values, odour, noise and traffic – but mainly, those opposed want it to be another 500 feet away.
An application has been made to sever and rezone land on Victoria Road to create one lot for purchasers of the property to construct a new broiler barn. A ‘Nutrient Management Plan’ was approved by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in November for 28,000 broiler chickens on a nine-week cycle. The plan addresses manure (being sent to Highline Mushroom Farm) and runoff.
A dozen Victoria Road residents signed a letter indicating their objection to the location of the barn, wanting it to be set back 1,000 feet.
“Agriculture is important to the residents of Prince Edward County and it is good to see people willing to invest in the future of the County,” their letter states. “The proposed broiler barn has a lot of positive appeal. The problem is the proposed location. If the barn were moved to reflect a minimum distance separation of 1,000 feet, the negative feelings about the proposed broiler barn would likely disappear,” said Mac Cirtwill, on behalf of a dozen residents on Victoria Road.
Based on the Nutrient Management Plan, and on site observation by County staff, a minimum distance setback of 568 feet is required.
The zoning amendment was deferred to the council meeting from February as it did not receive two-thirds majority.
Filed Under: Local News
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Good to see that council passed this.
Seems pretty relevant to a lot of local residents. Can only hope it is taxed at the 25% ratio.
1000 feet is arbitrary and not relevant to the application which is just to sever approx 100 acres from a parcel of about 200 acres.
If MDS is the law of the land, how does a Council step in and change it. If they choose to increase it, can they also choose to decrease it, in another situation. How was the 1000 feet separation arrived at by the objectors??
Will the neighbors pay for the 45% increase in the cost of utilities and roadway lengthening that their wishes incur?