Commissioner hearing on dairy’s permit rescheduled

    The public hearing in front of the Chase County commissioners on the conditional use permit (CUP) for Aurora Organic Dairy has been rescheduled.
    The hearing is now tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, 10:30 a.m. in the Chase County courtroom.
    The hearing was originally set for Tuesday, March 27 but the courtroom was needed for district court that day.
    District court coincides with the commissioners’ second meeting of the month, which is on the fourth Tuesday of each month. This limits the hearings to the commissioner’s first meeting of the month, which occurs on the second Tuesday each month, if the courtroom is used.
    Conflicts occurred in April and the planning commission wanted to avoid planting season in May so a June date has tentatively been set.
    The organic dairy is applying for a Class II CUP, which allows for up to 5,000 animal units. This permit requires a one-mile setback from neighboring residences. The setback is calculated from the corner of the home nearest the facility.
    The company is planning two barns, each holding 1,440 head of milking cows. The facility will also hold up to 620 head of dry cows, heifers and calves.