Slaughterhouse proposal goes back to Carson City planning commission after noticing error
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 11/08/2021 - 10:42am
Carson City has acknowledged that a public noticing error was made regarding the Planning Commission's public hearing of a proposed special use permit for a meat processing and packaging facility on Highway 50 East.
This means the commission's Sept. 30 approval for the proposed Carson Valley Meats slaughterhouse no longer stands and the issue will go back to the planning commission, city officials said.
The matter, which passed in a 4 to 1 vote by the Carson City Planning Commission, was immediately appealed to the Carson City Board of Supervisors who were to hear it this month.
Carson City Community Development Director Hope Sullivan advised in a letter to the applicant's clients Friday that the error was brought to their attention and that they reviewed the noticing and agree an error was made.
"Therefore, this matter will need to go back to the Planning Commission for public hearing. We will ensure proper noticing," according to the letter.
A letter, submitted by Jennifer Verive on behalf of the Coalition of Citizens for Peaceful Enjoyment, advised that noticing to the mobile home park included an incorrect address (5001 US Highway 50 E instead of 4999 US Highway 50 E) and that notice was not sent to the mobile home tenants in spaces 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46 and 47.
Carson City's Hope Sullivan said the matter could go before the Planning Commission again in December or January.
Those advocating against the proposed slaughterhouse submitted a news release Sunday. Here's what the release states:
The three community leaders who appealed the Carson City Planning Commission approval of a slaughterhouse on Highway 50 were notified by the Carson City Planning Office that the approval had been withdrawn due to improper noticing of nearby residents and property owners by the city.
Jennifer Verive, Maxine Nietz, and Doreen Mack were contacted by the Hope Sullivan late Friday afternoon. The three sent a letter earlier in the week to city staff identifying several errors in the noticing requirement for the meeting of the Planning Commission on November 29th to consider the application by Carson Valley Meats.
The appeal was to be heard by the Board of Supervisors on November 18, 2021. The decision now goes back to the Planning Commission for rescheduling and revision of the application resulting from modifications made by the Planning Commission prior to its approval of the project.
Karin Sinclair, owner of Carson Valley Meats, had a similar proposal rejected by the Douglas County Supervisors earlier this year. Proponents of the slaughterhouse cite the scarcity of slaughter and meat processing facilities in Nevada. Opponents objected to both the Douglas Country and the Carson City proposals on a wide range of issues including. Carson City opposition included proximity to residential neighborhoods, environmental concerns, and animal rights.
The project proposes a 4.43 acres with a 5,000 square foot building and a 5,600 square foot indoor loading and corral area that would be used to harvest and process local livestock animals.
The conditional use permit states that no more than 60 animals per week will be permitted, with animals being on the property for no more than 24 hours at a time. It allows for on site custom butchering, smoking and curing of meats, as well as a retail counter offering prepackaged meats.
A slaughterhouse is a conditional use for sites zoned General Industrial. Staff recommended approval due to the proposal meeting all of the conditions needed for approval.
The closest residences are 900 feet west of the proposed site, and the project stated they would be creating landscaping to create a buffer between the site and the highway. Also, manure must be removed within 24 hours of harvest and cannot be stored on site.
Supporters of the facility stated the designated zoning of general industrial area, where the facility would be build, is established to preserve an industrial district for uses engaged in storage or manufacturing processes that potentially involve hazardous or commonly recognized offensive conditions.
Some adjacent properties include a concrete plant, waste management and auto/truck repair. USDA conditions would regulate noise pollution, as well as odor pollution, which advocates say would be similar to or less than the currently operating adjacent properties.
Advocates also say the project would have a direct benefit to the community in that it will meet local demand for processing in that other area facilities have wait lists of over one year.
"While we are disappointed to be delayed by a technicality on the City’s part, we accept the outcome and look forward to appearing before the Planning Commission again," said Carson Valley Meats in response to the decision. "We appreciate and applaud the City for doing the right thing and making sure it is all done correctly."
