Tami Courtney has spent weeks trying to discover who owns the 40‑acre tract behind her family farm in Holden and what is being built there. “Why can’t anybody tell us what’s going on?” she asked, frustrated by the lack of communication from the landowner or the county.
Unannounced ground breaking
Neighbors were startled when construction crews broke ground without any prior notice. Workers have been digging a water well and have asked whether a utility pole could be installed at the edge of Courtney’s property to serve a commercial egg production plant that appears to be the focus of the development.
“I’m not saying don’t build your farm, I’m not saying don’t make a living,” Courtney said. “I’m saying tell us what you are doing.” The community is also concerned about sewage, air quality and whether the project meets any regulatory thresholds.
County zoning limits
Johnson County, Missouri, does not have countywide planning and zoning regulations, building codes, permits, inspections or occupancy certificates for unincorporated areas, except for properties within the Whiteman Air Force Base zoning zone. This legal gap means the county commission has limited authority to dictate how private land is used.
Presiding Commissioner Troy Matthews and Eastern Commissioner Rusty Sproat issued a joint statement acknowledging the situation. They noted that voters have rejected proposals to establish countywide planning and zoning on at least two occasions, leaving the county without a comprehensive framework for projects like this.
State permits and thresholds
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that a construction land‑disturbance permit was issued in late July for the project. However, the agency said that if the operation does not exceed a certain size threshold, it does not require a separate operational permit.
Courtain pointed out that the proposed facility would house about 60,000 birds—below the 82,001‑bird threshold that would trigger stricter oversight. “Just because you only have 60,000 birds instead of 82,001 doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be some kind of oversight,” she said. “There is absolutely zero oversight until they do something wrong after it’s constructed.”
Impact on families and the environment
Residents are worried about noise, pollution, wildlife disruption and the potential decline in property values for legacy family farms. Courtney and her husband bought their land 25 years ago to keep it in the family, and they fear that the new development could diminish the value of their heritage.
“If we ever decide to sell, we have to disclose that it’s there,” Courtney explained. “It’s an emotional thing, and I get it—people don’t stop construction over emotion, they stop it over other things.”
What comes next?
The commissioners said they are monitoring the situation and will work with the DNR to ensure any required permits are obtained. They also emphasized that any future changes to countywide planning and zoning would require voter approval, a hurdle that has been rejected in past ballots.
For now, Holden residents remain eager for transparency and for the county to provide clearer guidance on how such large‑scale agricultural projects are regulated in unincorporated areas.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
