Elkhart residents are trying to prevent construction of a 44,000 broiler chicken confined-feeding farm operation. Locals are facing difficulties, as the project lies within zoning regulations.

News Release

ELKHART COUNTUY — Residents of the Yellow Creek area, in the 61000 block of CR 13, have been trying in vain to prevent the construction of a 44,000 broiler chicken confined-feeding farm. At the Elkhart County Council meeting Thursday, Feb. 20, locals were informed there may be no way to stop it.

Over 150 plots of land lay within a half-mile radius of the proposed farm, which is owned by Jonathan and Joshua Hoover of Goshen. Residents are concerned that the roughly 400 people near it would be affected by contaminated water, air and lowered property values.

The proposed broiler barn would be 60 feet by 660 feet, with litter produced handled as solid manure and used as fertilizer.

Because the property is zoned A1 and at least three acres, it lies well within zoning regulations of under 150,000 chickens and requires no local approval.

Community members brought forth a petition with 129 signatures protesting the facility. Even still, the project remains on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Pending and Issued CFO Permits resource file as of Thursday.

Council President Tom Stump recommended citizens speak with the local legislators Tim Wesco and Blake Doriot, and the health department.