BUCKINGHAM — County supervisors in Buckingham have unanimously given a green light to the construction and operation of an intensive poultry facility, set to be located east of Sprouse’s Corner off of Route 60, on land owned by the Davis Family.

“The planning commission is recommending approval with the conditions that you see there,” Planning and Zoning Administrator Rebecca S. Cobb prefaced the public hearing with on Monday, September 8, during the supervisors’ regular monthly meeting.

The project, which was given the blessing by members of the County’s planning commission in July, entails building “…three pullet houses, with the intention to grow pullet breeders for Tyson Foods,” explains documents associated with the request. “These houses will total 72,000 square feet in size. There will be two 45’ by 600’ houses that will hold no more than 45,000 hens between the two houses combined. There will also be a…45’ by 400’ house that will hold no more than 5,000 roosters. The bird count comes to just short of 50,000 birds for all the houses combined,” the document reads.

The project will include approximately 50 acres, owned by Ivan “Chip” Davis Jr. The project’s applicant was Davis’ son, Ivan Davis III.

Gladstone resident Sammy Smith, who serves as the District Five Representative on the planning commission, was the sole speaker during the public hearing.

“…I’m coming as your liaison between Farm Bureau (of) Buckingham and the Buckingham Board of Supervisors. The Board of Directors for Buckingham Farm Bureau fully endorses the intensive chicken houses for the Davis Family,” he noted.

The motion to approve the zoning map amendment was made by District Six Supervisor Joe N. Chambers Jr., and seconded by District Five Supervisor Cassandra Stish, and was supported by the board.

“I would like to thank the board for their support on this motion, and to assure the community that our family will be operating in a most responsible manner, and we’ll do it for the betterment of the county. Thank you,” Ivan “Chip” Davis Jr. told the planning commission following their action in July.

In reference to the impact on the community, “these houses will go relatively unnoticed by the public or nearby property owners,” explains a project document, which adds that the houses will produce “…little to no smell” and will include buffer zones between the adjoining residential homeowners.

“This buffer zone of dense woods and brush will eliminate the view of the houses, along with the sound, smell and lights. Tyson Foods prefers their growers keep a neat and tidy appearance of their houses and surrounding property,” the document cites.

The project will include many contractors employing “…local people that will help generate money in Central Virginia and Buckingham.”

An estimated 1,000 tons of litter could be produced in one year from the three chicken houses, notes the document.

In June, Davis noted that his grandparents purchased their farm in 1918, “…and we primarily are cattle (producers)…We have a younger generation coming on board, and they’re looking for a way to diversify the operation in a clean and responsible way…This looks like a viable way for our farm, our family, hopefully, to continue with another 100 years of operating a business in Buckingham.”