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After a lengthy discussion Blair County Planning Commission members Thursday decided to take no action on plans for installation of a poultry operation in Blair Township.
Roman Musser plans to install a single poultry barn, egg room, manure storage, equipment storage shop, single-family dwelling and associated gravel drives and stormwater management at 10507 Charger Highway.
Jayme Smith, whose property is next to the proposed chicken farm site, said she has concerns about the project.
"I am concerned about runoff, we have a well. My primary concern is about my well and contamination. I am concerned about the impact on neighboring properties. I am concerned about erosion, the impact on wells and adjoining properties, odors and increased traffic," Smith said. "I wish I knew this was happening before I bought my property, this will do nothing but decrease the value of my property."
Realtor Catherine Zottola, who sold Smith her property, also spoke out against the proposed project as the site slopes toward Penn Farms and Holiday Hills neighborhoods.
"There are hundreds of homes downhill from this property. Who is the final person who says yes they can do this to the community and homeowners who have invested their lives into their homes? This is unfair to the community, we want to see growth and agriculture growth, is this the right place for this farm," Zottola asked.
Tim Sciabica of Altoona said he lived near a chicken farm in the state of Indiana.
"The smell on a hot summer day, it is so pungent it goes through the windows and makes the home stink. In the summer, it percolates (through) the whole neighborhood. I feel sorry for the people," Sciabica said.
Former state Sen. John Eichelberger lives in the Penn Farms neighborhood.
"Neighbors have talked to me. It is inconsistent with planning to let a chicken farm along the biggest housing development in the county. I am worried about the smell and runoff," Eichelberger said.
Matt Kadwill of Nye Consulting, representing Musser, addressed the smell concerns.
"Manure will be exported off the property. They will address odors, there will be an odor management plan," Kadwill said.
Stormwater management for this project includes vegetated swales, underground infiltration basins, principal and emergency spillways and maintenance underdrains.
"The developer should ensure adequate post-construction stormwater and erosion controls are followed diligently to avoid exacerbating an existing water concern," said regional Planner MacKenzie Caron.
"With proper development this could alleviate some of those concerns (flooding). They are having professionals to assess this, on the basis of stormwater this may be an opportunity to reduce runoff," board President Todd Lewis said.
In her review, Caron had said the proposed development is "mostly consistent” with Alleghenies Ahead, the adopted countywide comprehensive plan.
That is not good enough for member Peter Folen.
"We don't have enough information to decide whether it’s consistent or inconsistent. I would like to table this until the next meeting," Folen said.
Caron said she is required to respond to Blair Township within 30 days but the next meeting isn’t scheduled until Dec. 10.
"MacKenzie will respond to Blair Township, we are not rendering a decision," Lewis said.
"You can withhold an answer but they (Blair Township supervisors) have the authority to move forward," solicitor Patrick Fanelli said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.