Giltner Village Board approves CPI’s plan for new storage facility

The Giltner Village Board approved a conditional use permit Monday for CPI’s proposed commercial grain storage bunker, giving the company the green light to proceed with construction of a new 2-acre facility on the north edge of town.

CPI’s proposal stirred debate last month, when the Hamilton County Joint Planning Commission heard input from area neighbors who were upset with dust and odor created during certain times of the year.

County planners approved the conditional use permit June 16, contingent on the Giltner Village Board adding its endorsement, which came by unanimous vote Monday night.

Area neighbors voiced support for the project in June after CPI company leaders outlined plans to address dust and odor concerns in a detailed 10-point proposal. CPI’s plan is to stop using the current bunker system, located just west of a row of trees separating it from the Giltner plant, and replace it with a new bunker of similar size just to the north.

Gary Brandt, CFI’s chief executive officer, explained in June how he and other company leaders used some of the public feedback to come up with a list of 10 conditions they believe will help eliminate dust and odor problems in the future. The list of conditions outlines specific steps, procedures and documentation measures the company will implement on the new storage facility. (See related chart for exact wording of the 10-point pledge).

“That’s our obligation as citizens of the community and that’s our obligation to our customers as well,” Brandt said during county planners’ June Zoom meeting while summarizing the 10 conditions. “We have to have integrity and you have my word as CEO of CPI that we are going to do these things.”

10 conditions for CPI storage facility

Added conditions for the proposed CPI Giltner location conditional use permit

■ 1. IF the bunker is approved by Hamilton County and the Giltner Village, CPI will abandon its conditional use permit for the current emergency pile west of the CPI Giltner office.

■ 2. 100 percent of grain received in the new bunker will be oiled to control dust. This oil will remain on the grain and will help mitigate picked up outbound grain dust. During bunker pick up, CPI will be cognizant of wind direction, understanding that rain events during pick-up will occasionally occur and pile pickup may need to be expedited.

■ 3. The roads that service both grain bunkers will be treated with a dust control product at a minimum of two or three times weekly during inbound and outbound grain movement to the bunkers. CPI’s Giltner location manager will document the applications.

■ 4. CPI will also document on a weekly basis CO2 readings at each bunker to ensure grain quality is being maintained. CPI’s Giltner location manager will document each reading and take appropriate action to minimize spoilage and the effect upon the community.

■ 5. Once the bunker is emptied, all remaining grain will be cleaned within seven days. After cleaning a member of CPI’s senior team, along with Giltner Village Board member or person appointed by the Giltner Village Board, will inspect the area. If unsatisfactory conditions are found the identified issues will be cleaned within an additional three days and re-inspected by the same individuals.

■ 6. Centrifugal fans will be used and controlled by a system to conserve energy and thus help control noise. CPI will investigate sound above safe levels in conjunction with the Giltner Village Board.

■ 7. CPI will maintain the current tree line on the south side of its property. There will be three rows of trees. Diseased or dead trees will be removed and replaced in the spring and/or fall.

■ 8. CPI will no longer dispose of grain within three miles of Giltner.

■ 9. CPI will post all parameters discussed at the location so that it is visible to all employees.

■ 10. The haul road located adjacent to the emergency pile will remain open to truck traffic during harvest, but will be closed and truck traffic when the bunker is picked up.