Davison commissioners to consider permit for large hog operation Tuesday

The Davison County commissioners, sitting as the county Board of Adjustment, will consider issuing a conditional use permit to operate a swine production facility when they meet in regular session Tuesday.

The controversial hog farm proposal for a site in Baker Township located in southwest Davison County drew an audience of about 80 people on April 3 when the county Planning and Zoning Commission considered the application. In a 3 to 1 vote, the P&Z recommended approval of the conditional use permit.

The hog operation, if approved, would cost about $13 million. It would have 5,400 sows and would produce about 140,000 piglets annually, according to information released by Pipestone Systems of Minnesota, which would manage the project.

The swine facility would be owned by Jackrabbit Family Farms, a group of unnamed investors from South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.

There was testimony for and against the project at the April 3 meeting of the Planning Commission hearing. Concerns for dust and odors topped the list of objections.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor courtroom to accommodate an anticipated large number of participants for the public hearing. The commission meets at the Davison County Courthouse, 200 E. Fourth Ave.

Tuesday’s agenda includes:

* 9 a.m. Call to order, approval of past meeting minutes and citizen input.

* 9:30 a.m. Emergency Management Director Jim Montgomery regarding the signature of an unspecified state and local agreement and a departmental quarterly report.

* 9:40 a.m. Sheriff Dave Miles and Deputy Steve Harr regarding a highway safety grant.

* 10 a.m. Board of Adjustment, consideration to approve a conditional use permit for Jackrabbit Family Farms.

* Recess.

* 1:15 p.m. Board of Equalization.

* 2:30 p.m. Consideration to approve plats as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission; approval of bills and time sheets for payment.

* 5:30 p.m. Consolidated Board of Equalization, Commissioners’ Room.

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