Aldermen, in two tries, approve zone for meat processors

Ordinances dealing with meat processing facilities continue to perplex aldermen as a rare change of vote was required for Ordinance 897 at the October 8 meeting of the Centerville Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

“In my 11 years this has never happened,” said Mayor Gary Jacobs. “This situation has never come up.” The measure sought to amend the Centerville Municipal Zoning Ordinance by adding rules and regulations that meat processing facilities would have to adhere to if such businesses wanted to come to Centerville in the future. “This basically sets up the guidelines for future use,” Jacobs said. “currently there are none.”

The ordinance’s language led aldermen to believe it would actually encourage and allow meat processing facilities to come to town. Based on this belief, the initial vote was 1-7 against the legislation, with Alderman Tom Meador being the sole yes vote. Building Inspector Josie Blystad attempted to clarify the purpose of the ordinance. “If a business does come in, we have to legally allow them some provision,” Blystad said.

The idea of meat processing plants in Centerville has divided opinion since summer, when an entrepreneur expressed interest in the former Levi Strauss and Co. building for that purpose. Even though it’s been months since interest in that location was withdrawn, the debate still elicits strong reactions on both sides — even among town officials. “I don’t know why we even need to fool with one,” said Alderman Wayne Prince. “It’s not legal to not fool with one,” Blystad responded.

Jacobs also attempted to clear up any confusion. “This ordinance puts in place guidelines the city has never needed,” Jacobs said. “But after our experience of the summer, there was a need for this that would have probably helped to alleviate some confusion. “This ordinance does not encourage meat processing — it protects the city’s interest by putting in a very specific set of rules and regulations to govern anyone else who wants to do this. “It’s not saying we want them, it’s just saying if they come, you’re going to adhere to these strict regulations.”

After lengthy discussion, aldermen soon understood the legislation’s purpose. “We need to reconsider this,” Alderman Terry Barber said. Jacobs said there was no precedent for this situation. “The county commission regularly offers their members the opportunity to change their vote before it’s recorded,” Jacobs said. “In the interest of clarity, I would say that we can change the vote or we can revote.”

It was decided that aldermen would be given the chance to change their vote based on the discussions. Of the seven board members who initially voted no, five changed their vote to yes. Aldermen Ken Daron and Dagan Bates remained a no vote. With the new totals, the ordinance passed 6-2 on first reading.

Five additional pieces of legislation were advanced by the board.

— Resolution 2024-32 awarded a paving bid to Tennessee Valley Paving Co. Inc. of Franklin for $257,895. The company was the only bidder. The contract allows the company to pave 2.15 miles of road from Jenkins Avenue to Highway 100. The resolution passed unanimously.

— Also receiving unanimous approval, Resolution 2024-33 adopted the policies and procedures for the $500,000 HOME grant, awarded by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

“This resolution here is something we have to do as part of the requirements that we agreed to abide by their policies and procedures as we did the previous time we had this HOME grant,” Jacobs said. Applications will be sought.

— Ordinance 895 was unanimously passed on second and final reading. It affirms the planning commission’s decision not to recommend the rezoning of the former Levi Strauss and Co. building on Skyview Drive.

— Ordinance 896, on first reading, amends Ordinance 798 to increase the number of retail package liquor stores allowed from two to three. The ordinance passed 7-1 with Alderman Lonnie Horner voting no.

— Also passed on first reading, Ordinance 898 amends zoning ordinance 606 and rezones property located at 400 Barber Circle from an R-1 low-density residential district to an R4 high-density residential district. The ordinance passed unanimously.

The meeting lasted 26 minutes. Aldermen Becki Bates and Derek Newsom were absent.