Carson Valley Meats representatives pinpointed the slaughterhouse location in a presentation before the commission. They emphasized the fact that the slaughterhouse will be set back from the freeway, creating a buffer for residents.
The Carson City Planning Commission on Wednesday night granted Carson Valley Meats a special use permit to construct a slaughterhouse along Highway 50. Though, after hearing public comment, they agreed to alter the conditions of approval.
The slaughterhouse will be required to hold and process all animals indoors. There will be no outdoor corral area, and the indoor holding area will follow the same building standards as the indoor processing area.
Moreover, the slaughterhouse will return to the Planning Commission for a review one year after the start of their operations.
The commission said it would like to ensure that the slaughterhouse continues to meet all the requirements of their special use permit, including not infringing on residents’ peaceful enjoyment of the surrounding areas. The commission would be allowed to establish regular annual reviews following the one-year review.
Supporters of the slaughterhouse cited the need for farm to table food sources in Carson City. Many also spoke to Michael Holcomb’s business expertise, pointing to the Wolf Pack Meats slaughterhouse in eastern Reno. Holcomb has been in the meat industry for over three decades and serves as Carson Valley Meats’ operations director.
Those in opposition argued that the odor and noise would be unbearable; home values would decrease; the area would see more insect infestations; and byproducts may pollute nearby water sources. The city engineering department said that pollution is unlikely.
Several echoed the phrase, “Don’t slaughter our community.”
Carson Valley Meats proposed to move the holding area plans indoors to appease residents. The commission voted 4-1 for approval.
The decision can be appealed within 10 days to the Board of Supervisors.
The Growth Management commission convened afterward and, in a close 3-2 decision, approved a prospective car wash’s proposal to use 29,500 gallons of water per day.
Metro Carwash, the applicant, also reserved the right to find other sources of non-city water over the 29,500 gallons.
This story will be updated.
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