BLUE EARTH — After months of meetings, the question of whether Faribault County would issue a conditional use permit for a proposed swine facility has been answered.

By a 4-1 margin on Tuesday, county commissioners voted to accept the findings of the Planning Commission and deny the permit.

It was back on Sept. 11 that Larry Twedt submitted an application for a proposed swine facility to house 3,280 swine, or 1,312 animal units. County ordinance states that sites with more than 1,000 animal units must obtain a conditional use permit.

The site of the proposed facility is about three miles southwest of the city of Blue Earth in Section 25 of Jo Daviess Township.

The Planning Commission decided Dec. 11 to recommend to the county board that the request for the permit be denied.

Prior to the vote Tuesday, Twedt explained he was willing to add a bio-fence to the project to help control dust and odor.

Commissioner Tom Loveall made a motion to approve the permit with added conditions. These included the daily monitoring of perimeter tile, a log of inspections, and requiring bio-filters to be inspected and monitored on a monthly basis, with signed documentation to verify the inspections. Commissioner Tom Warmka seconded the motion.

Commissioner Greg Young spoke against issuing the permit, citing his concern about the density of the population around the proposed building site.

“My position is these people were here first, this is where they live and I think they have an unalienable right to enjoy their property,” Young said.

The vote proceeded, with Loveall casting the lone yes vote.

Next, commissioners voted to accept the Planning Commission findings to deny the permit.