Jerome County Reversal

 Jerome Co. CAFO decision in limbo until next month. I’m David Sparks and I’ll tell you why in a minute.  A couple of days ago, I told you that the good folks in the Jerome County Commission had voted to amend the zoning ordinance in an effort to let an anaerobic digester be built on a CAFO operation without a special use permit, which is currently required. This is what Commission Chairwoman Cathy Roemer had to say: “Leave it to man to be innovative. If he’s given the freedom to do so, he can certainly be innovative to solve problems.” But something’s changed…big time. Commission Chairwoman Roemer first motioned for approval of the application with conditions, but then withdrew the motion. Apparently Code Enforcement Officer Bob Wright and Planning and Zoning Administrator Art Brown cited the owner of the CAFO for exceeding his maximum number of permitted livestock. Listen to what the Magic Valley Newspaper said: The CAFO seeks a permitted expansion from 70 to 400 animal units.  And neighbors living near the CAFO testified that moving a manure pile farther from houses but closer to neighboring property lines could rectify odor issues but would put the pile out of compliance with the current zoning ordinance. An attorney said the proposed changes to county zoning ordinance would change setbacks and allow the CAFO to move a manure pile farther from neighbors’ homes without violating the current property-line setback. All of this over a pile of manure!!! What about innovative to solve problems.