The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday approved several text amendments for zoning regulations regarding agricultural businesses.

The amendments included text clarifying that conditional use permits for a type of company classified as a “value-added agriculture business” do not need to be reserved for parcels of land of a certain size.

The proposed amendments drew some criticism from members of the public through written testimony and a letter to the editor published in the Journal-World, arguing they paved the way for large companies to establish themselves in residential areas of Douglas County.

Mary Miller, a planner for the county and city of Lawrence, said there still would be enough checks and balances in place to prevent something out of place appearing in residential areas. An area’s character and compatibility are always considered when a conditional use permit is submitted, she said.

A value-added agriculture business is a company that manufactures — not necessarily raises — a product. An example would be a business that converts soybeans into tofu, Miller said.

The commission took up the issue after staff requested clarifications of the regulations after a small food manufacturer applied for a conditional use permit last fall.