‘We don’t want it here:’ Jacksonville residents push back on plans for David’s Burgers meat processing plant

Some residents are pushing back on plans for a David’s Burgers meat processing plant in Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, Ark — Following pushback from the public last year, David’s Burgers is once again looking to build a meat processing plant in Pulaski County. 

The owner said it helps deliver the freshest meat to its 10 restaurants across the region, but it met stiff resistance last year when it tried to build one in a North Little Rock industrial park. 

However, this go-around, David’s Burgers is eyeing just outside of Jacksonville.

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“We do not want it here, period,” resident Virginia Cox said.

Echoing those words was resident Barbara Swift, who has also been making those feelings heard.

“We do not want this meat packing plant in our community,” Swift added.

Swift’s home sits across from the proposed David’s Burgers meat processing and food plant. 

“The smell and the bacteria and all that will be coming from there,” Swift said.

Meanwhile, Cox lives up the road and has called the area home for more than 70 years.

“We’re familiar with all the germs a meat processing plant carries. We have children being raised here, and schools are close by. We have no plans approving a meat processing plant in this area,” Cox said.

Reginald Ford with the NAACP Jacksonville Chapter said the community found out about this project over the weekend.

“There’s no regard for the community,” he said.

Ford also added that the city mentioned a plan to develop the land back in May but never heard anything else. 

“There was nothing said that this was going to possibly be a processing plant in a residential neighborhood,” he said.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because it is. 

Last year, David’s Burgers tried opening a facility in North Little Rock until the community pushed back and the company stopped development.

However, now, there’s one major difference. The plot of land is in an unincorporated part of the county that touches city limits.

“Someone can put whatever they want, wherever they want to. Even if it’s across these homes,” said Tab Townsell, who is the director of Pulaski County Public Works.

Townsell adds that there are no zoning ordinances in the area, adding that county officials’ hands are tied if the project meets the criteria.

“We have to approve their site plan, or we can be sued,” Townsell said.

The owners of the 80-acre site are listed as Jack and Michelle Anderson, and they have a listed LLC. 

Meanwhile, there will be a site plan review on September 22nd before the County Planning Board in Little Rock. People who live nearby will have a chance to speak.