Elkhart County denies chicken farm, vehicle repair requests

GOSHEN — Elkhart County Commissioners recently denied a couple's request to rezone their property for a chicken farm. Dale and Melissa Shupert aimed to change their property from R-1 to A-1 zoning in Concord Township to establish a small chicken farm. Neighbors raised concerns about the couple's current operations, leading to the denial based on those complaints. The Shuperts planned to raise 250 chickens on their 10-acre property. They wanted to keep the farm mostly organic and use chicken waste to enrich the soil. However, difficulties in soil health and complaints about burning chicken waste during composting contributed to local opposition. Residents also claimed the Shuperts' chickens and goats frequently wandered onto their properties. During past meetings, neighbors expressed worries about health impacts from chicken waste and increased predators around the area. Despite the Shuperts' attempts to address concerns, commissioners noted the need for better property management before allowing rezoning. On March 17, the commissioners reviewed the matter again, and the discussion shifted as concerns about compliance with local regulations deepened. There were also assertions from residents about increased predator presence and signs of distress among local wildlife. The commissioners ultimately voted unanimously against the rezoning plan. In a separate matter, commissioners also denied a request from a business owner in Baugo Township who sought to rezone a property for an at-home vehicle repair and junkyard operation. Neighbors expressed worries about noise, traffic, and environmental issues related to salvaging vehicles. Local officials concluded that such a business was unsuitable for the residential area, reinforcing the decisions to deny both requests. In addition to these matters, other local developments included the approval of a subdivision project and various administrative appropriations related to animal control and county services.