A discussion of county zoning brought former justice of the peace Larry Swofford back to the quorum court for the first time since he completed 30 years of service at the end of 2022.
Swofford had consistently opposed any form of county zoning throughout his term. Last week, the agenda included an ordinance establishing setbacks and noise restrictions on towers. During public comments, he said, “You can dress this up any way you want to, but it’s county zoning. It’s putting restrictions on what people can do with their land.”
Swofford said he had no problem with selling lots with covenants, because the buyers know about restrictions in advance. “When you start county zoning, you’re telling people who’ve worked all their lives to pay for a place what they can do and what they can’t.”
Swofford also took issue with proposed noise limits. He said the 55-decibel nighttime limit is equivalent to a refrigerator running. A farm tractor operates at 80 decibels, he said, as he asked whether the next regulations might restrict the noise of poultry house fans. Swofford ended with the observation that Stone County, just across the state line, now has no poultry houses, even though the 72nd Annual Grower Festival will return to Crane, Mo., next week.
Other public comments focused on questions relating to county zoning or permitting. Scout Clean Energy plans to install a series of wind turbines south of Green Forest, and their spokesman described efforts in support of the project.
The company has mounted a campaign to object to any land use restrictions, and spokesman Dave Iadorola brought more than 500 letters and emails opposed to county zoning. JP Harrie Farrow objected to characterizing a proposed ordinance as county zoning. She said the ordinance would simply set basic requirements for towers.
JP Jack Deaton, who sponsored the ordinance, echoed Farrow’s claim that the ordinance essentially protected neighboring properties from infringement. He said the ordinance would not prevent someone from placing a tower on their property but would set limits on where a tower could be placed.
JP John Howerton has consistently opposed county zoning throughout his time on the quorum court. He said, “Any type of restriction on the use of your land is the start of zoning.” He said even though the current proposal applies to wind farms, the next effort could take aim at poultry houses. “It starts here, and it has to end here,” he said.
Other speakers were less concerned with the principle of county zoning than they were with alleged threats from the wind turbines. The audience became more vocal, and County Judge David Writer had to gavel the crowd into order. “This is a meeting for the JPs,” he said.
Randy Williams said he had been asked by former county judge Sam Barr to participate in a land use committee. He objected to the need for an emergency ordinance, saying, “This has been going on for some time.” He asked why the tower regulations were not brought up during the plan for new 5G towers, some of which stand next to roads.
I remember when Carroll County was a lovely peaceful place to live and work. Now the money changers have arrived. So very tragic.
No zoning in the county. You can not tell people what they can or can’t do with their property!
Oh my goodness people. When will you recognize that neighbors’ property rights are just as important as your own? Is public health and safety overall not important here?