Hart BOC to Hear First Reading of Poultry House Set Back Ordinance

Hart County Commissioners are expected to hear the first reading of their new proposed setback ordinance for poultry houses when the meet tonight.

County Administrator Jon Caime requested the board consider the ordinance because of the increased number of permit requests for poultry farms in the County.

Currently, Hart County has no land use regulations and people living near some poultry farms have complained about the odor and the close proximity to their properties.

Last month, the board was given copies of poultry house setback ordinances from surrounding counties to review, but put off the required readings for a new poultry house setback ordinance until more details of the ordinance can be worked out.

Caime said this all new territory for the County and Commissioners are moving cautiously.

“We’re starting down a path of land-use controls, he said. “So, with something that monumental and controversial in some eyes, they really want to make sure they’re as transparent as possible. So, they didn’t want to rush and they wanted to make sure they had something fleshed out with the items that are important to them.”

Caime said for now, the Board is only looking at a very basic set back ordinance.

“Basically, they’re looking at 200 ft from the front, 200 ft from the side and 600 ft from the back,” Caime said. “A lot of these houses will have the exhaust fans that blow out the back, which is why they have the 600 ft in the back. They’re also talking about having a buffer, like trees or some other vegetation around it (poultry house).”

Tonight, the board will also be considering and discussing more requests from local poultry farmer for variances of the poultry house moratorium.

Commissioners instituted the moratorium on new poultry operations until the new setback ordinance becomes law.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 5:30p at the County Commission offices on Reed Creek Highway in Hartwell.