Variance for CFO OK'd (01/18/08)

A request to bend the rules on how far a large-scale livestock building must be from a nearby residence was given the OK, but not before a detailed discussion.

Members of the Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance Thursday night that will allow Pike Township resident Dwayne Muhlenkamp to construct a barn to house young turkeys (pullets). The corner of the barn will be 545 feet from the closest home; the county's zoning ordinance requires a 750-foot separation.

The barn will be located next to Muhlenkamp's home at 1268 West 800 South, Portland.

After hearing no objections from nearby property owners and hearing Muhlenkamp explain that project costs would rise prohibitively if the building was moved farther to the east and north away from two homes on the south side of county road 800 South, BZA members Carl Walker, Scott Hilfiker and Dennis Rodgers granted the variance.

As has become its custom with variance requests, the BZA went over the provisions in the county's zoning ordinance that outline the requirements which must be met to grant such requests.

In the end, the three members present agreed that the project would not damage public health or safety, that adjacent properties would not be adversely affected, and that special characteristics of the property would prevent building the barn in a different location because of economic factors.

Residents of two homes closest to the proposed building, Phil and Barb Mills and Jim and Cheryl Burkett, wrote letters in support of the project.

Muhlenkamp, who has an option to purchase the land for the barn from his father Don Muhlenkamp, said, "If this was a (poultry) finisher (barn) or a hog barn, I wouldn't even ask (for a variance)."

Among the extra costs involved in re-siting the barn would be stone for the drive, along with additional wiring and labor. The topography of the land also would cause additional costs for re-locating the building to solve drainage issues.

The facility will house 24,000 young turkeys, which will be shipped out when they are six weeks old and approximately 8 pounds each.

Also Thursday, the three members present re-elected the same slate of officers for 2008. Rodgers will continue to serve as chairman of the BZA, while Walker will be vice-chairman.

Steve Fennig is the secretary, while the recording secretary will be Pati McLaughlin, administrative assistant for Jay/Portland Building and Planning.

The firm of Hinkle, Racster and Lopez was also re-appointed as legal counsel for the BZA.

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