Madison County commissioners on Nov. 3 approved a variance for a proposed stackhouse at a poultry operation, allowing portions of the structure to be built closer to the property line than the county’s 300-foot setback. The application sought roughly a 99-foot variance from the required setback for one corner to square the composting/stackhouse location up with existing poultry houses and remove exposed litter from an eroding area.

NRCS and a contractor described longstanding runoff and erosion where litter had been stacked outside and said the plan is to construct an enclosed composting stackhouse and route runoff via piping under the area into the woods; NRCS prepared drawings and proposed piping to control runoff. County staff and commissioners emphasized that moving the structure forward to align with existing poultry houses would avoid disturbing steep ravines and could improve environmental compliance compared with the current exposed litter location. However, commissioners also emphasized the need to avoid setting a precedent that unduly relaxes setbacks.

The board approved the variance with a requirement that construction be performed in conformity with the NRCS/engineer site plan that had been prepared, and the record indicates the board expects the applicant to secure a contractor and provide a construction schedule promptly. Commissioners urged expediting the project to reduce environmental risk and asked staff to coordinate with the applicant on contractor selection and timing.

Why it matters: The decision removes currently exposed litter from a location that was eroding toward a nearby creek, but it does so by relaxing setback requirements. The board mitigated that risk by conditioning approval on NRCS-engineered measures to control runoff and on compliance with the site plan.

Applicant/NRCS summary (paraphrase of hearing): NRCS produced a site plan that pipes runoff under the proposed stackhouse and directs it into the woods; the applicant says he can start tree removal and dirt work quickly if the variance is granted and expects to line up a contractor soon.

Board condition (from motion): The variance is approved provided the work is performed in conformity with the NRCS/engineer site plan and associated drawings and does not encroach further than the existing poultry houses.