Manure spat ends as Massena revises law

MASSENA — After several years of work, the Town Council approved an updated zoning law Wednesday night.

The amended code creates a 500-foot buffer zone between neighboring property lines and liquid manure spraying on farmland in residential-agricultural districts.

The decision ends a months-long conflict between a farmer and his neighbor.

"It's not an agricultural district. We can do the 500 feet," Supervisor W. Gary Edwards said. "I'm happy with that, that's what Harry (F. Cullen, chairman of the zoning committee) and I started out with."

The St. Lawrence County Planning Board recommended that the town reduce the barrier to 100 feet, but the board overrode it unanimously to go with the original proposal.

"You've given me hope again," said Sandra L. Russell, one of the neighbors involved in the conflict.

Six residents have been complaining since October that a farmer in their neighborhood regularly spreads liquid manure on his farm without regard to their health or property. They say that his farming practices and the proximity of the manure pit to their land prevents them from enjoying their yards, opening windows or hanging laundry outside.

The other major change to the code was the addition of a zone for planned unit development, which would allow the construction of developments like condominium complexes. The town already had begun drafting a policy by late 2007, when a developer approached the town with a proposal to build 18 two-family houses. The project is still in the planning stages, but is moving along, according to Mr. Edwards.

The town began revising its zoning law five years ago under Massena's previous supervisor, Sanford T. Cook. The process typically takes a few years, but because of differing visions for the town, it dragged on.

The last comprehensive review of the code was completed in 1977. Minor changes were made in 1999, according to Mr. Cullen.