COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (WPTA) - After weeks of debate, Whitley County Commissioners voted Monday against a rezoning request from Brian and Sonya Emerick that sparked heated discussions between neighbors and farmers.

The Emericks asked the county to rezone their property, arguing the change would safeguard their farmland from suburban sprawl and keep it in agriculture for years to come.

But many residents who live nearby raised concerns. They feared the new zoning would allow large-scale operations, such as a pig farm, to be built on the land.

Several residents said they worried about how that could affect their neighborhoods and property values.

The commissioners voted against the rezoning, calling it a unique situation.

“Whitley County fully supports its farmers; we have to have them.

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