County commissioners approve pair of conditional use permits

Following public hearings on a pair of conditional use permits, Perkins County commissioners gave their approval to both during their regular meeting Monday. 

Scoular permit

Scoular received a conditional use permit to begin construction on a new unit-train loading facility at their Grainton grain-receiving location. 

The project will include construction of two 140-foot by 70-foot concrete bins, a 180-  foot tall elevator leg and 13,450 foot of railroad siding.

Most of the siding will be located west of County Road 351.

During the loading of unit-trains, the permit allows Scoular to block Road 351 during the loading process. 

Scoular is required to notify the Perkins County dispatch center when a unit train is being loaded. That allows dispatch to reroute any emergency vehicles if Road 351 is blocked. 

Scoular also agrees to install overhead street lighting to adequately light the intersection of Road 351 and the railroad crossing.

They will also extend the crossing at Road 350 and Highway 23 to allow access to farm ground north of the intersection.

Wilson Feed Yard permit

Commissioners gave a green light for a conditional use permit to Wilson Feed Yards to expand their feed yard from 4,500 head to 7,700 head. The yard is located 7.5 miles southwest of Grant.

The county planning commission gave their approval to the permit, forwarding it to the commissioners for their decision. 

Zoning Administrator Bob Tatum told commissioners the yard was originally 3,000. Zoning regulations adopted by the county allowed them to expand up to 50% without the need for a conditional use permit. They used that one-time expansion option to 4,500 and have operated at that level for more than 10 years. 

Wilson told commissioners they have hired an engineering firm that specializes in feed yard expansion, waste control and regulation compliance.

At the 7,700-head size, Wilson said the yard now falls under the guidance of Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy regulations. 

He said they brought the engineer on board to ensure the yard meets those compliance issues.  

During the public hearing, property owner Ann Kirkpatrick addressed the commissioners.

She noted her issue is not with the Wilsons, but with the feed yard itself, being within about 1.25 miles from her residence. 

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