Appropriate zoning would alleviate permit issues

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has regulations for issuing permits for proposed poultry farms in the state, and a county’s zoning determines whether some permits ever get issued.

Three people are in the process of attaining and keeping permits for separate proposed turkey farms in Darlington County. All have been met with opposition.

Residents near all three of the proposed sites express the same concerns they have about poultry farms: the smell, increased traffic and health hazards of the factory farming technique.

DHEC spokesman Adam Myrick said DHEC has no control over the odor poultry farms produce or the traffic they generate. One could argue that if no permit is issued for a poultry farm residents oppose, then the odor and traffic concerns are moot.

Myrick also pointed out, however, that DHEC does not regulate the zoning of a proposed poultry farm.

“One thing people always say is that they live in a residential area or they don’t want the farm next door to them,” he said. “But if it’s zoned for agricultural or not zoned at all, we take the appropriate steps from there when it comes to permitting.”

Darlington County Planning Director Doug Reimold explained to county council in January that the county’s comprehensive plan — a work in progress — is the foundation to zoning. He said the county is establishing the building blocks to know how to develop its land-use map.

In the meantime, though, Darlington County has no established zoning. In theory, that means someone can put a poultry farm wherever he or she wants in Darlington County, so long as it’s permitted by DHEC. But the process can be delayed by those in the county who oppose it.

Opponents can appeal the permits DHEC already has issued to the DHEC board. When an appeal fails, they can take the matter to the state Administrative Law Court. If that doesn’t work, they’re out of luck. They can’t argue that the farms shouldn’t be permitting because of zoning.

Wil and Chasidy Ward, who are among those trying to establish a poultry farm in Darlington County, meanwhile, are stuck in a holding pattern. They applied for a permit more than a year ago for a farm that would have four turkey houses, which would hold 6,500 birds in each.

“We are just waiting, but it’s definitely been a hardship on my family,” Chasidy Ward said. “You have to wait when all you’re trying to do is (make a) better life for your children.”

If opponents successfully prevent the Wards from establishing their poultry farm, the Wards are out of luck, too. They can’t argue that the farms should be permitting because of zoning.

Darlington County residents who oppose these poultry farms may be frustrated with DHEC for issuing the permits in the first place. And Darlington County residents who are trying to establish these farms may be frustrated with DHEC for its process of issuing permits.

But both groups should realize the blame ultimately lies with Darlington County Council.

The health and economy of the county as a whole is suffering because some county council members are reluctant to tell residents what they can and can’t do with their property. That’s not fair to the residents who oppose the poultry farms or to those who are trying to establish them.

Having appropriate zoning in place would alleviate much of the controversy this issue is causing.