SOUTH WAYNE - A heifer barn that could house up to about 1,000 animals has caused concern for one its neighbors and has raised a question about zoning requirements in Lafayette County.
Soil was tested last week in a field on County N, north of South Wayne, for a possible heifer barn that would house between 700 and 999 heifer. The land is owned by Pat Place.
A neighbor to the field, Peggy Miller, said she was concerned because the proposed barn would be between 250 yards and 300 yards from her house. Miller said she's worried about the environmental impact of a barn that close to her house.
"Studies show the air quality diminishes and there are water quality concerns," she said. "I'm also concerned about traffic safety."
Miller isn't opposed to agriculture, she said.
"I'm for responsible farming," she said. "These cows will be standing on cement all their lives."
Miller wants Lafayette County to address the problem before a barn is built near her or before a similar barn is built someplace else.
No one told Miller about the proposed farm until last week.
"It's all been hush-hush," she said. "People are shocked by this. People affected by it weren't even aware it was being considered," she said of the farm.
Place said the barn is in the preliminary stages, and soil testing doesn't mean he's going to build.
"We haven't really done anything yet," he said.
Place said there is no definite date to begin construction. He said the barn is just something he's considering.
The barn would house heifers from Spring Grove Dairy, a large-scale farm on County G west of Brodhead. Spring Grove Dairy buys heifers from farmers in Lafayette County. Place said it would be good financially, for both him and the county, to have a large-scale barn to provide animals to Spring Grove Dairy.
Dan Monson, who operates the dairy, said the plan is entirely Place's; Spring Grove Dairy doesn't have anything to do with the plan to build the barn.
"We have a history with him so I can see why he'd want to build it," Monson said.
Place said he has no intention of putting up the building without first talking to the township and to neighbors.
"Being part of a community, you should be a good neighbor," he said. "Before something is built you'd want to talk to the neighbors."
Communication should go both ways, he added.
"By the same token, I'd think if anyone had a problem with it they should talk to me, too."
No one on the township board knew about the barn until recently.
Steve Lee, Wayne township board chairman, didn't know about the barn until the township board meeting Aug. 12. He said Place should have come to the township board before he did planned to build.
John Bartels, who serves on the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors, said Place would need a driveway permit from the township and a permit from the state for the manure storage tank. Place isn't required to get any special permit for the barn.
In Green County, according to Green County Conservationist Todd Jenson, any plans for a farm with over 500 animals must go before the Green County Land Conservation Board.
Lafayette County doesn't have a similar requirement, Zoning Administrator Steve Hubner said
"My impression is that you're pretty much out of luck," he said, referring to anyone who has concerns about a large-scale farm or cow operation.
Miller hopes the Lafayette County board can pass an ordinance to oversee large-scale farms. Hubner supports the idea, even if it wouldn't make a difference with the Spring Grove Dairy.
He said the "time is ripe" for the county to make rules to govern large-scale farms and barns. He said the board would need to have a public hearing and the issue would be on the county board agenda for two consecutive months before a final vote could be taken.
For now, however, there's not much anyone can do.
"The horse is already out of the barn," Hubner said.
Soil was tested last week in a field on County N, north of South Wayne, for a possible heifer barn that would house between 700 and 999 heifer. The land is owned by Pat Place.
A neighbor to the field, Peggy Miller, said she was concerned because the proposed barn would be between 250 yards and 300 yards from her house. Miller said she's worried about the environmental impact of a barn that close to her house.
"Studies show the air quality diminishes and there are water quality concerns," she said. "I'm also concerned about traffic safety."
Miller isn't opposed to agriculture, she said.
"I'm for responsible farming," she said. "These cows will be standing on cement all their lives."
Miller wants Lafayette County to address the problem before a barn is built near her or before a similar barn is built someplace else.
No one told Miller about the proposed farm until last week.
"It's all been hush-hush," she said. "People are shocked by this. People affected by it weren't even aware it was being considered," she said of the farm.
Place said the barn is in the preliminary stages, and soil testing doesn't mean he's going to build.
"We haven't really done anything yet," he said.
Place said there is no definite date to begin construction. He said the barn is just something he's considering.
The barn would house heifers from Spring Grove Dairy, a large-scale farm on County G west of Brodhead. Spring Grove Dairy buys heifers from farmers in Lafayette County. Place said it would be good financially, for both him and the county, to have a large-scale barn to provide animals to Spring Grove Dairy.
Dan Monson, who operates the dairy, said the plan is entirely Place's; Spring Grove Dairy doesn't have anything to do with the plan to build the barn.
"We have a history with him so I can see why he'd want to build it," Monson said.
Place said he has no intention of putting up the building without first talking to the township and to neighbors.
"Being part of a community, you should be a good neighbor," he said. "Before something is built you'd want to talk to the neighbors."
Communication should go both ways, he added.
"By the same token, I'd think if anyone had a problem with it they should talk to me, too."
No one on the township board knew about the barn until recently.
Steve Lee, Wayne township board chairman, didn't know about the barn until the township board meeting Aug. 12. He said Place should have come to the township board before he did planned to build.
John Bartels, who serves on the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors, said Place would need a driveway permit from the township and a permit from the state for the manure storage tank. Place isn't required to get any special permit for the barn.
In Green County, according to Green County Conservationist Todd Jenson, any plans for a farm with over 500 animals must go before the Green County Land Conservation Board.
Lafayette County doesn't have a similar requirement, Zoning Administrator Steve Hubner said
"My impression is that you're pretty much out of luck," he said, referring to anyone who has concerns about a large-scale farm or cow operation.
Miller hopes the Lafayette County board can pass an ordinance to oversee large-scale farms. Hubner supports the idea, even if it wouldn't make a difference with the Spring Grove Dairy.
He said the "time is ripe" for the county to make rules to govern large-scale farms and barns. He said the board would need to have a public hearing and the issue would be on the county board agenda for two consecutive months before a final vote could be taken.
For now, however, there's not much anyone can do.
"The horse is already out of the barn," Hubner said.