AMITY >> Barry Shirey’s 75.68-acre turkey farm land development plans received conditional final plan approval from the Amity Township Planning Commission on Feb. 8.
The approval is conditioned upon receipt of approvals from PennDOT for the driveway, the Erosion & Sediment Control Plan by the state Department of Environmental Protection, and other outside agency approvals.
The Board of Supervisors will vote Feb. 15 on the final plan approval request.
Shirey received conditional preliminary plan approval in January for the turkey farm that he plans to operate with his son, Michael, at 6359 Boyertown Pike (Route 562).
He was granted conditional land use approval last August, following five months of hearings.
Board members said Shirey may build two, 700-foot-by-63-foot, wood-frame, metal roof and siding, dirt floor turkey houses, for no more than 37,840 birds “at any one time.”
Several of Shirey’s future, adjacent neighbors, were opposed to the turkey farm operation due to the potential for odors, as well as water and soil pollution.
The board included 20 conditions that will protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Their conditions were taken from approximately six different witnesses that testified during the five conditional use hearings (over five months) regarding best management practices for soil, water, manure, composting, and odor management.
One of the board’ conditions was for turkey barn ventilation fans that would direct air in a southeast direction.
Engineer Brian Boyer, Boyer Engineering, LLC, Douglassville, said although the turkey barns had to be “flipped,” and nine fans on the end of each building face northeast, the addition of a deflector wall will deflect air in a southeast direction.
Solicitor Kevin Musheno said the condition that each turkey house must have ventilation fans that are directed downward and to the southeast — as well as an operational generator in the event of a power outage – were conditions upon which the neighbors didn’t appeal the board’s Aug. 17 conditional use approval.
“The hardship [required to alter a condition made by the board] is met – can’t be constructed that way because they don’t work,” said Commission member and Supervisor Terry L. Jones, adding, “either the hardship or the wall is met.”
Commission member Julie Marburger was absent from the meeting.
