Stephens Co. Planning Commission Recommends Approving Poultry Farm Request

The Stephens County Planning Commission is recommending that a proposed poultry farm on Freeman Creek Road be allowed to move forward.

Tuesday, planning commissioners voted unanimously to recommend that the county re-zone the property Agriculture Intensive to allow property owner William Hutto to put the chicken houses on his 107-plus acres.

Hutto told the Planning Commission he had adjusted his plans in an effort to alleviate neighbors’ concerns.

“We have a new plan to put the six new chicken houses in the middle of the property,” said Hutto. “That way, we meet all of your requirements. I am trying to make people happy. I am just a hard-working man that put a lot of time and money into this farm. I do not want any neighbors mad at me. I have to live there too.”

Hutto’s proposal is for a total of eight poultry houses, but one of the existing houses would need a setback variance of about 30 feet in its current position because it is too close to a neighboring dwelling.

Numerous people spoke out against the poultry house plan.

Citing Wilbros as an example, Tom Herron said they do not want to deal with the problems odors create.

“It affects our way of life, our children, our grandchildren,” said Herron. “They cannot get out in the yard and play. It affects your air quality, your water quality. You cannot get out and grill out in the backyard. There are just a number of things when you have a poultry farm close to a residential area as this one would be.”

Other concerns were raised about the effect of odor on economic development and the impact of the trucks accessing the farm on neighborhood roads.

Stephens County Planning Commission Member Mark Wilkinson said that a properly managed poultry farm does not have to buy valtrex online https://www.yourcanadianpharmacy.net/anti-viral-/valtrex/.

According to Wilkinson, there are many poultry farms in the area where people live on the farm and if it is run right, it can be fine.

However, resident Bob Adams says he has heard too many “if’s.”

“What if is not well run?” asked Adams.

After a public hearing, Planning Commission Member Mark Smith made the motion to recommend re-zoning the property Agriculture Intensive.

“Not only did we do this zoning to protect the citizens from Wilbros coming into our county, we did it to protect our farmers to still be able to be farmers,” said Smith. “I live in this community. I would consider this a rural area, not a residential area.”

Planning Commissioners approved Smith’s motion unanimously.

The Planning Commission also unanimously voted to recommend granting a conditional use permit for the chicken houses.

However, the Planning Commission did vote to recommend denying the variance request for the one poultry house not in compliance, which if not granted, would force that house to be brought into compliance to be used.

The final decision rests with Stephens County Commissioners, who will consider the Planning Commission’s recommendations on Tuesday and make a final decision.