Planning Commission approves permit for commercial chicken feedlot

The Lancaster County Planning Commission voted 6-3 Wednesday afternoon to approve a permit for a commercial feed lot for a proposed chicken farm for Costco. 

The farm would include four barns housing more than 190,000 chickens in southwest Lancaster County on West Wittstruck Road. 

Landowner Randy Essink would run the operation in partnership with Lincoln Premium Poultry.  Essink says it would allow him to farm full time.

Residents in the area have fought to have the permit denied, saying having such a facility nearby would lower their property values, pose environmental hazards, and create a pungent odor. 

The vote to approve the permit had been delayed twice before Wednesday’s meeting, both times falling one vote short of the five necessary to approve it. 

In both prior meetings, the entire nine-person board was not present. 

Opponents to say they will appeal the commission’s decision to the Lancaster County Board, who will make the final decision.

This is a developing story and we’ll continue to add new information as details become available.