COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The grassroots group Colusa Humans Against Offensive Odors has intensified its opposition to the proposed meat slaughterhouse in the Colusa Industrial Park, arguing that public notifications contained what they believe is misleading zoning information and allowed Planning Director Jesse Cain to grant a minor use permit for the facility violated the public’s right to transparency.
CHAOS representative Mark Tomey confirmed that residents came together to raise the $1,500 appeal fee, which was formally submitted on July 25 at 4 p.m. The appeal followed a Public Records Act request submitted on July 23 for access to all environmental documentation, CEQA-related files, and city correspondence regarding the project.
Zoning concerns have now added to the dispute over another odor-producing business going near current and planned residential neighborhoods after the city refused to grant a republishing and rehearing of the July 15 public hearing for what they believe was misstated zoning information in mandatory mailed notices and submitted legal notice in the June 20 newspaper publication.
Tomey said the city attorney denied the request on July 25, citing incorrect language “would have had no impact” on the hearing’s outcome, thus causing no documented injuries.
“Not only is this incorrect and irrelevant, but it’s against the Brown Act,” Tomey said. “In the community’s opinion, misinformation that has no regard for the public’s best interest is the status quo for city management and should be stopped as soon as it begins.”
At the heart of the dispute is whether a minor use permit granted by Cain should be escalated to discretionary review and enforceable conditions due to potential safety hazards, such as groundwater contamination, odor, traffic, and noise – particularly since residents claim industrial uses at the park has already surpassed comfortable living conditions in Colusa.
“Although no one was injured to date, we are here to keep that from ever happening by simply requesting a clearer, more comprehensive list of conditions of approval that will keep the slaughterhouse liable, should any issues arise,” Tomey said.
Residents said if the slaughterhouse owners are confident in their unwritten mitigation actions, then they should have no problem collaborating with the community and writing in conditions they can abide by.
Cain, Colusa Industrial Properties CEO Ed Hulbert, and slaughterhouse facility operator Brent Nobles, stated at the public hearing that strict state and federal regulatory oversight of slaughterhouses already exists to ensure environmental safety and that the facility’s design includes modern waste management systems.
According to Cain, the slaughterhouse is allowed by-right with a Minor Use Permit, based on land use designations and zoning that he said aligned with the city’s General Plan after the industrial park transitioned from county authority in 2015, which designated certain parcels, including the southwest corner of the park by the CIP wastewater plant, for heavy industrial uses with a streamlined permitting process.
Supporters of the project argued that a local slaughterhouse will strengthen Colusa’s agricultural infrastructure, reduce livestock transportation costs, and provide jobs, but agreed that the project – by its very nature – should trigger at least some additional conditions of approval, given the 30-year string of broken promises that Colusa residents would not be “negatively impacted” by projects such as the mushroom farm, fertilizer plant, and hoop-house cannabis.
Even if the City Council upholds the minor use permit on appeal, they can still enforce or modify conditions attached to the permit, under California law.
The city has not set the date for the appeal.