The Bartholomew County Plan Commission is recommending that county leaders approve measures set forth by a committee to regulate Confined Feeding Operations (CFOs).

This vote comes after months of wrangling over what county officials should do to balance the rights of farmers, CFO operators and their neighbors. The Plan Commission voted to approve the plan by a vote of six-to-three. The vote includes a change that would make CFOs a “conditional use.” This change would require that neighbors of a property being considered for use as a CFO be notified so they have an opportunity to raise objections.

The plan now moves on to the Bartholomew County Commissioners for further hearings and, eventually, a vote.