Carson City resident, groups appeal commission's approval of Carson Valley Meats processing facility
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 2:35pm
Earlier this month, the Carson City Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve an application by Carson Valley Meats for a meat processing and packaging facility off of Highway 50 E. in an industrial zone.
Slaughterhouses are approved uses for the general industrial zoning area, as laid out in the Carson City Municipal Code, but an appeal has been filed against the decision.
Maxine Nietz, who served on the Planning Commission prior, filed the appeal, stating that the facility “will be near residences and destroy peoples’ lives,” in an opinion letter sent to Carson Now.
According to a letter from resident Doreen Mack, two other groups — The Downtown 2020 Group and Coalition of Citizens for Peaceful Enjoyment — have also appealed.
Public comment at the planning commission meeting spoke of concerns regarding potential noises and odors, and Carson Valley Meats stated they would change their proposal from having an outdoor holding pen — which would only be allowed to hold animals for up to 24 hours prior to processing — to an indoor holding pen in response to resident’s concerns.
By their business plan as well as restrictions imposed by the commission, the facility will only be able to operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and can only harvest animals one day per week, with the exception of wild game brought by hunters.
An additional condition states that a review will be made of the facility once a year at the Planning Commission to ensure the other conditions are being met.
Carson Valley Meats has discussed similar facilities and practices to Wolf Pack Meats, a USDA approved meat processing facility, which operates out of Reno. Wolf Pack Meats first opened in 1967, operated through the University of Nevada, and since that time there have been no issues with noise, smell or pollution.
Carson Valley Meats has previously stated that they will operate in a similar manner, and will also be USDA approved, which comes with its own rigorous set of standards for hygiene and environmental impact.
Carson Valley Meats initially purchased the old Storke Dairy in Centerville with the intention of opening their processing facility, but residents stated they did not want it to be built due to potential affects on their housing prices as well as concerns over the water table.
In Carson City, Carson Valley Meats will be on the city's public water system and sewer, which they state alleviates concerns over any similar issues with water.
Most individuals at public comment, both in Douglas County as well as in Carson City, stated that they did not disagree with the business idea, only that they did not want it in that particular location.
Carson Valley Meats feels confident they will win the appeal.
“Our engineer, Manhard Consulting, is reviewing the appeal documents this week. We are confident with our plan are looking forward to the next steps,” they said in a statement to Carson Now.
It is unknown at this time when the appeal hearing will take place with the Carson City Board of Supervisors.
