(FOX40.COM) — A proposed small-scale slaughter facility is one step closer to becoming a reality after the Sacramento County Planning Commission narrowly rejected an appeal from members of the Rio Linda-Elverta community.
This project was approved in July, but faced public pushback from the very beginning. Community members rejected the idea of an unrestricted “kill floor” going up, for some, right next to their homes.
The commission was initially deadlocked when they voted on the appeal on Aug. 24. However, ultimately, because of county code, that tied 2-2 vote resulted in the appeal being denied and the project being cleared to move forward.
“I’m just glad I don’t live next door, I’ll say that, but I know there are some folks here that do,” one community member said at a Sacramento County Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 24.
The 20-acre project site, referred to as Greenfarm, sits along Palladay Road. The site currently holds an abandoned single-family home, plus several barns and animal enclosures.
If finalized, the site would house livestock and accept customers for up to 30 custom slaughter services per week.
“We live about 600 feet from the back of their property and we see it all,” another community member said during the public comment portion of the same meeting. “My kids play in a seasonal pond that we have in our backyard and it flows directly from their property. Are they still safe to play there?”
The project’s applicant also spoke at the meeting and defended his proposal.
“It’s not easy when you’re just by yourself and the whole community comes against you,” he noted.
According to the applicant, there is a pressing need for halal slaughtering services in Sacramento.
Planning Commission member Joseph Devlin agreed that the business could promote a more sustainable food system.
“We are and have claimed to be the Farm to Fork capital of the world. However, one of the, probably, biggest gaps within that Farm to Fork is the actual acquiring and harvesting of meat that is locally sourced.”
Michelle Anderson lives catty corner to the site of the future kill floor.
“I have a well on my property,” she said. “I’m really concerned about the water and what it will do to my water and I won’t know until it’s too late.”
She said that, in addition to health concerns, she is worried about peace of mind in the place she hoped to retire.
“Let’s talk about the smells and the fact that we have a nice breeze out there,” Anderson said.
Other community members also expressed concern over traffic increases, reduced property values, animal exploitation and noise issues.
“I respect my neighbors,” the applicant said. “I respect their concerns.”
However, the applicant said he has addressed many of those topics time and time again.
“It’s going to be sealed tank,” he said. “This operation is not going to happen in the middle of the yard, [it] is going to be inside the building and that building will be inspected by the building department.”
The appeal’s denial came against the recommendation by a planning advisory council, so some community members told FOX40 they are still hopeful it’s not a done deal.
However, this recent update paves the way for the applicant to move forward with the licensing process with no additional public hearings at this time.
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