BLUE EARTH – The Faribault County commissioners had a packed house Tuesday as about 20 concerned citizens from the Blue Earth area came to express their concerns about a conditional use permit for a proposed feedlot.

Citizens living near the proposed project area in Jo Daviess Township addressed their concerns to commissioners after the county Planning and Zoning Commission approved the permit by a 3-2 vote on Oct. 9.

Their concerns are for their own health and their property values. They worry about odor and air quality; traffic and speeding; manure management; and overall quality of life.

Of the 20 citizens present, 10 chose to speak publicly. Two were Dr. Aaron Johnson and United Hospital District’s CEO, Rick Ash. Both vehemently oppose the permit, which would allow a confinement swine facility to hold 3,280 pigs that range between 33 pounds and 300 pounds on 10 acres of land.

According to Loria Rebuffoni of Planning and Zoning, the nearest residence is about 1,500 feet north of the site. The site is not in floodplain or shoreland, nor does the proposal affect public or private ditches. She also stated, in an email to commissioners, that the permit would be contingent on approval of a state feedlot permit, which could take about 60 days to process.

Her email stated that nobody spoke in favor of the project at the Planning and Zoning meeting, while about 15 people spoke against it.

After citizens were given their opportunity to express their opinions and concerns, the developers of the project, Larry and Micah Twedt, were given the opportunity to share their side.

“If I knew this would make such a big stink, I would have thought twice,” Larry Twedt said.

He said he was not only bringing in job opportunities to Faribault County, but potential revenue to the county as well. He noted that the land in question is zoned for agriculture.

A motion was made by commissioner Tom Warmka to table action on the permit until 9:30 a.m. Nov. 6. The motion was seconded and approved by the board.