The JBS slaughterhouse and meatpacking plant in Louisville's Butchertown neighborhood won't have its operating permit revoked for failing to obtain proper paperwork for a building project.The company was cited last summer and fined 500 dollars for failing to obtain a building permit for a hog chute enclosure at the plant. JBS blamed the oversight on miscommunication with a contractor, but the Butchertown Neighborhood Association said it was serious enough to ask the Metro Board of Adjustment to revoke the plant's conditional use permit.After some six hours of public comment and deliberations, the board voted Monday to allow JBS to continue operating, saying it has taken steps to rectify its mistake.
Attorney Glenn Price argued on the company's behalf and said the board rightly based its decision on the law."I think we'll be able to work with the Butchertown folks, God willing. If there are....parties willing do discuss in the future what we need to do to make it a better neighborhood, we'll do that," Price said.Butchertown residents have long complained about odors and noise from the Story Avenue plant and want it moved to an industrial site. Metro Councilman David Tandy says he's been working with JBS officials to find a suitable site to relocate the facility and its 1,300 jobs. Some plant workers testified at the meeting that they're concerned about the future of those jobs.
