MADISON, Neb. (KTIV/US92) -
Fertilizer is big business here in the Midwest, but some Nebraska homeowners are don't want it near their backyard.
Madison County leaders are wrestling with whether to change a zoning requirement that has a lot at stake.
The Madison County Commissioners have delayed a decision on whether to change the rule pertaining to how close bulk fertilizer storage facilities can be to neighboring properties.
The Commission voted Tuesday morning to send the issue of reducing the county's setback laws from 1320 feet to 300 feet, back to the County's Planning and Zoning Commission for more discussion.
The Planning Commission rejected the idea at their meeting last month.
The issue brought about 80 people to the Madison County Court House for testimony on Tuesday.
Many of those testifying in favor of reducing the setbacks were local economic development officials who said they worry that not changing the law will push potential business to other counties.
Norfolk Chamber President Dennis Houston said, "It is imperative that we equalize our setback standards with our neighboring counties and show our citizens, neighbors of Northeast Nebraska and potential business prospects that we are open for business in Madison County."
Many of those who spoke in opposition to more lenient setback requirements are residents of Warnerville Township, which is south of Norfolk.
A company has expressed interest in building a five million dollar fertilizer facility there, provided they can get the setback laws changed.
But area residents say they don't chemicals and industry closer to their homes. They say they want the County to put the safety of their families first.
"We have 21 acres of residential land and we live there with our children. We hope that someday they can live there and grow up there and have their own children," said Michelle Fickler, a Warnerville resident:
The Commissioners didn't really side with the business or residential sector... deciding instead to send the idea back to the drawing board and see if the Joint Planning Commission can come up with a better solution.
Commission officials say the earliest they could hold another hearing on the issue would be at their meeting in July.
