Madison County hires another consultant to study bulk storage se - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Madison County Nebraska officials will be gathering more information before deciding on the contentious issue of relaxing the county's bulk storage setback laws.

The Joint Planning Commission Thursday voted to hire an outside consultant to study the county's setback laws and help determine how best to change them.

The Commission heard a report Thursday from another consultant hired at the request of the Madison County Commissioners.

But zoning administrators say there are potential conflicts with the consultant hired, and they'd like to hear recommendations from a completely independent voice.

"One way to prove what somebody says is to have someone else confirm it. The Planning Commission has that power," said John Johnson, Madison Co. Zoning Administrator.

Among the new issues brought up Thursday was whether the Norfolk Municipal Airport's zoning laws trump the Planning Commission's jurisdiction on setbacks.

The Madison County Attorney is expected to look into that.

The setback issue has had a lot of pushback, particularly with residents opposed to Helena Chemical building a fertilizer storage facility south of Norfolk.

If the County Commissioners approve the 2nd consultant's hiring, a report could be ready for the Planning Commission by their August meeting.