Helena Chemical Company withdraws application for fertilizer pla - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Madison County officials say they have received word that Helena Chemical Company has withdrawn their application to build a fertilizer facility southwest of Norfolk. 

County Planning and Zoning Administrator John Johnson says he spoke with Helena officials Thursday who confirmed that they had sent letters to land owners around the proposed site stating that they were no longer interested in the properties. 

At the center of the controversy that began in May, was an issue with setback requirements that regulated how far away a fertilizer plant must be from the nearest residence.  The Planning and Zoning Commission was in the process of hiring a second consultant to conduct a survey of the area and provide feedback in the matter. 

Johnson says the county intends to go ahead with their plans for the consultant in an effort to provide information for any possible future issues.  The commission will sign a contract with a consultant at their September meeting and hear his report in October. They will also be drafting an amendment that includes an impact easement for residents.

Johnson says Helena leaders also told him that they do intend to build a facility somewhere in Madison County in the future, but do not have a new site chosen.