Calhoun council may stiffen poultry regs

SOUTH CAROLINA - Disagreeing with the recommendation of its own planning commission, Calhoun County Council appears next up to tackle the controversial issue of chicken houses.

And, judging by the recent contention in neighboring Orangeburg County, local leaders know they’re in for a fight.

“Go ahead and bring it up. I see the guns back there,” said Council Chairman David Summers, referring to a crowd of agricultural leaders attending the Monday night council session.

County Administrator Lee Prickett then announced that, by a vote of 5-2, the planning commission voted Oct. 17 to recommend that the regulations, formulated by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, be applied to poultry house operations in Calhoun County. That would mean a setback of 1,000 feet from a residence; 200 feet from the property line for small operations and 400 feet for large ones.

Source: The Times and Democrat

15 November 2005