Exception granted for processing facility

A custom meat processing facility will be allowed in the northwest area of the county.

Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday approved a special exception to allow Alvin Brenneman to operate a custom meat processing facility on the north side of county road 650 North between county roads 650 West and 750 West.

Brenneman explained that he and a handful of other producers are in need of meat-processing capacity for their products that go to farmer’s markets. He noted that currently they are combating other processor’s schedules and can sometimes not get the products they need.

“It’s just come to a point to where we feel like we need to be able to process our own,” said Brenneman.

Jay/Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn told those in attendance that Brenneman has already been communicating with Jay County Health Department and state officials. A commercial septic system is planned for the operation.

He also explained that granting a special exception instead of rezoning the property provides more control over what could be done at the location in the future. (The exception applies to Brenneman only. If he were to sell the property, the new owner would need to seek their own exception.)

Answering questions from board members, Brenneman said he expects hours of operation to be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to process about 20 beef cattle each week. He plans to have 10 to 12 employees. There will be no on-site retail operation.

Linda and Lawrence Kirkpatrick, who live on the south side of county road 650 North, expressed concern about traffic, noise and the impact on the nearby West Grove Cemetery.

“We’re not really against it, but we do have concerns,” Linda Kirkpatrick said.

Brenneman responded that he expects fewer than 20 trucks per week at the processing facility. Hemmelgarn noted that the planned facility meets the required setback for the cemetery.

After some discussion, Brenneman also agreed that he could place the loading area for the facility on the north side of the building, out of the site of the Kirkpatricks and passing traffic. He also said he would be willing to limit or shut down operations to accommodate funerals at the cemetery.

Board members Angela Paxson, Steve Ford, Kaleb Hemmelgarn and Marla Lutes unanimously approved Brenneman’s special exception request.