Seward County Board approves large chicken farm over neighbors’ objections

SEWARD, Neb. (KLKN) — The Seward County Board of Commissioners approved a big poultry farm on Tuesday after months of hearings and community debate.

The board voted 5-1 for the Pine Creek Poultry project, a large facility known as a concentrated animal feeding operation.

Passions rose after the vote, with one neighbor using an expletive as she talked to the owners of the CAFO.

SEE ALSO: Seward County hits pause on large animal operations, but proposed chicken barn not affected

Some opponents came with posters to show to county commissioners during the hearing.

“Pictures are worth a thousand words, and sometimes by being able to show visuals of something looks like it makes a greater impact,” Harriet Gould said.

But opponents said it wasn’t enough.

“I thought that particularly with the protest letters, that that would’ve had an at least some impact on the commissioners’ vote, but apparently it did not,” said retired environmental attorney Jonathan Leo.

SEE ALSO: Seward County panel rejects big chicken farm after opponents flock to meeting

Channel 8 tried to speak with supporters of the project and the owners of the farm, but they declined to comment or provide a statement after the vote.

District 1 County Commissioner Misty Ahmic explained why she voted yes.

“One of these facilities are going up half a mile up from my house,” she said. “Do I like it? Nope. I don’t. But I live in ag community, and I choose to live outside of a city or a village, and I make choice, and that’s kind of the risk I’m taking on.”

Some opponents called out certain commissioners during and after the vote, saying they ignored community concerns.

“There was no explicit acknowledgment of respect for or concern for the folks who spoke in opposition who live here,” Leo said.

Earlier this month, the board voted to put a moratorium on new applications for CAFOs.

The board’s approval of this project came despite the Seward County Planning Commission recommending against it.

Gould wanted to give this message to the chicken farm owners: “I don’t think it’s OK to have somebody’s business on your front lawn.”

Opponents said the owners of the chicken farm should address neighbors’ concerns, but Leo said the chances of that are slim to none.

“Unfortunately, I would have to say, the citizens are on their own with whatever supports me and others like me can provide to them,” Leo said.