The Vernon County Board voted 21-8 to turn down a plan to place a six-month moratorium on the creation of any farming facility with more than 500 animal units, Tuesday afternoon.

The action was taken as the county considers a manure storage permit pending for a 2,400-head hog confinement feeding operation planned by Jeff and Bonnie Parr of Ferryville.

The board did, however, approve two measures to address farm growth and land planning. On a pair of 15-14 votes, the board approved an animal siting ordinance limiting animal units and approved a measure to begin comprehensive planning.

The animal siting ordinance deals with farms with more than 500 animal units. That ordinance only gives the county oversight on the location of such an operation and is basically a permitting system. The ordinance is very similar to state legislation formulated for counties.

The board also approved beginning the comprehensive planning process by the one-vote margin.

More information on the county board’s action will be in this week’s edition of the Vernon County Broadcaster