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BV Supervisors Approve Final Rezoning Reading for Proposed Soybean Crushing Plant

November 02, 2021 Steve Schwaller

(Storm Lake)– The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors today (Tues) unanimously approved the third and final reading to rezone a section of land between Storm Lake and Alta for a proposed soybean crushing plant.

Supervisor Rhonda Ringgenberg called it the first step in the process, and pointed out that building permits and financial incentives still need to be addressed.

The plant would be located about a mile south from the Lake Creek residential area. The 440 acre section of land in Washington Township is now changed from agricultural to industrial.

Lake Creek residents again voiced concerns about noise especially from the plant’s adjacent rail yard, as well as possible environmental hazards, and the fact that certain financial information hasn’t yet been made available.

Paul Havens wanted the Board to table the third reading on rezoning because he said the Supervisors haven’t addressed how they plan to minimize the effects the plant would have on Lake Creek residents. In anticipation of the Board giving the rezoning final approval, Havens still asked for the ordinance publication to be delayed until a developers contract is in place to address certain issues…

“I would propose that you enter a contract with them to rezone it with the limited purpose of putting in this soybean crushing plant and the attendant railyard. That’s what they say they want. By this contract they would have that right, but prohibit them from any other industrial use as a second industrial use on the site or a subsequent use. They haven’t said they are going to do anything like that, but that is apparently something that’s logical to happen, particularly a biodiesel plant on the site.”

Supervisor Paul Merten implored concerned citizens to trust the Board in the process…

“As someone said earlier, the what ifs, the what ifs. We don’t know, and I wish we did. But we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that it’s best for all residents of the county. We are going to negotiate in the best terms for all of the residents in B.V. county. That’s what I see as my job. You guys elected us to represent not just Lake Creek, Alta, Storm Lake, the whole county. I’m not trying to hide anything, there are some things we can’t disclose right away. Eventually it all becomes public knowledge but you have to trust us to get to that point and I hope you do and if you don’t, then, you know, the next time you check us off.”

The soybean crushing plant is scheduled to open in the spring of 2024.

(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)

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