Weldco Farms owns sections 15, 22 and 23 pictured southwest of Holyoke. A proposed commercial feedlot would be built in the northeast quarter of Section 22, located 2 miles from the west edge of town.
Weldco Farms looks to build 7,000-head dairy heifer grow lot
Weldco Farms LLC (doing business as Aurora Organic Dairy) out of Boulder has owned sections 15, 22 and 23 in Township 7 North, Range 45 West, southwest of Holyoke in Phillips County since June 2016. The company recently submitted an application for a conditional use permit to build a commercial feedlot on the northeast quarter of Section 22.
Phillips County Board of Adjustment has a public hearing scheduled Monday, July 27, where community members will have an opportunity to share comments on the site’s proposed use. The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. at the Phillips County Event Center. Weldco is scheduled to give a 15-minute presentation, and then members of the public will have an opportunity to speak.
According to Phillips County zoning regulations, agricultural districts zoned as A-1 cannot be used for commercial feedlots. Agricultural districts zoned as A-2 may be used for commercial feedlots, but a conditional use permit must be granted.
In Phillips County, sections within 3 miles of the courthouse are A-1; those outside of the 3-mile mark are A-2. The Weldco property straddles that line. While section 23 is zoned A-1, sections 15 and 22 are zoned A-2.
Before submitting the conditional use permit application, Weldco Farms met with the board of adjustment and county commissioners for an informational meeting. One concern raised by Phillips County was the water supply, board of adjustment chair Mark Lutze explained. Weldco Farms has since applied for a permit to build a 50-gallon-per-minute well at the south edge of Section 23, and the well permit was issued June 1.
Weldco Farms applied for the conditional use permit Feb. 24. The intended use of the site is a commercial grow lot for a 7,000-head dairy heifer facility, and that’s what will be up for discussion at the July 27 public hearing.
Based on the hearing, the board of adjustment will outline the conditions required, which will then be submitted to the county commissioners for final approval.
Documents related to the hearing can be viewed at the Phillips County Court House in the administration office.