BOZA Sets November Hearing On JBS Plant

The Metro Board of Zoning Adjustment has agreed to move a hearing about Butchertown’s JBS meatpacking and slaughtering plant to November.  At issue is whether the company violated its land use agreements with the city.The Butchertown plant began construction on an expanded hog enclosure more than a year ago.  It didn’t apply to the Board of Zoning for the necessary approval, but got that approval after the fact, with some conditions. The Butchertown Neighborhood Association wants that approval revoked. Association attorney Jon Salomon says that’s in part because they believe JBS is not complying with those conditions.“And one of those conditions was that, in light of the nuisance impact of the company’s operation, the Board of Zoning asked them to spend some money on mitigation efforts, to reduce the impact of their operations on the neighborhood.  The company has decided to appeal that.  So from our perspective, the company is not in compliance,” Salomon said.JBS attorney Glenn Price says while his client did fail to get the necessary permit first because of a contractor’s oversight, the new enclosure will help reduce odors in the community.