Area Residents Ask Snowflake Town Council Not To Support Slaughterhouse Near Town

By Naomi Hatch
   Residents living at Snowflake Ranches asked to be heard at the Feb. 26 meeting of the Snowflake Town Council regarding the possible location of a slaughterhouse close to their homes.
   Debra Housel spoke for the residents. She said that they were not notified of a hearing held by the Navajo County Planning and Zoning Commission, and that residents were concerned that the notice of hearing was posted on the Verizon tower that none of them drive by and the legal notice was published in the Holbrook Tribune-News, which she felt was not adequate notice.
   Town Manager Paul Watson said that the council could hear this item, because there is a requirement that if a project is in the county, but within a certain distance of town boundaries, the town has an opportunity to express its opinions or desires regarding that issue. “Obviously, we’re not the public hearing body for this item…but we have a request for the council to possibly write a letter or some other form of communication to the county regarding this issue,” he said.
   Mayor Kelly Willis stated, “We’re here as a council to hear the concerned citizens, we cannot make a motion tonight.”
   Housel made a presentation to the council on the impact that Tri-Western’s request for rezoning from AG-20 to Heavy Industrial two-acre minimum would have. The site is located one mile west of Five Mile Draw, where a pig farm was located. It has not operated as a pig farm for several years.
   Housel said that the Appraisal Journal reported that property values near similar facilities dropped by as much as 100 percent for those immediately adjacent, by 83.3 percent for properties as far as three miles away and by an average of 6.6 percent for those located three to eight miles away. She noted that the slaughterhouse and land is located less than two miles from the center of town.
   “Even more interesting is the county’s interpretation of what heavy industrial use would be and the proposed effect it would have in our town,” said Housel. She read from the list of heavy industrial uses and said, “The list is just crazy, and it’s really scary to all of us.”
   Housel said that Tri-Western’s proposal to Holbrook was that they would only import animals between 12 midnight and 4 a.m. “I sleep at that time,” she said.
   Housel also stated that it would bring in low wage jobs, and they predict 77 jobs when they actually have 11 jobs, but are saying that by being here they could expand to bring in additional labor. “These are all low wage jobs that place a burden on our medical facility,” she said, noting that most are uninsured or underinsured.
   She also spoke of the poor quality of the jobs, commenting that the killing and dismembering of animals all day is stressful, dangerous and distasteful work. She quoted statistics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics that show that slaughterhouse workers have a nearly one in 10 incidence of repetitive stress injuries and show a 100 percent employee turnover each year.
   Housel spoke of the environmental impact in that the volume of water usage and waste production, and the impact on air quality would be substantial, as well as odors and air pollution, which would be oppressive in the community. She said she felt the noise and increased traffic flow from trucks bringing in animals for slaughter would be detrimental to the neighborhood, and the groundwater would be affected by standing herds of animals waiting for slaughter. She also pointed out they will use the open pond method for disposal of wastewater, manure and urine from the animals.
   Housel pointed out that the slaughterhouse is located between phase I and phase II of Snowflake Ranches, and will have a negative impact on the town.
   The zone change request for the site is scheduled to be heard by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11. Housel asked that the town send either representatives from the council commenting or a letter to Navajo County opposing the slaughterhouse.
   Housel said that she called Tri-Western to let them know there is land available that would not impact anyone, and was told by the owner’s son that they had already purchased the land and that they had been guaranteed by the county that they would receive appropriate zoning. When she asked who had guaranteed the rezone, she was told it was none of her business, but they would be moving in.
   Judi Hicks read a letter from Robert McDowell, who owns property approximately one-half mile from the proposed slaughterhouse, but was unable to attend the meeting. The letter noted that he had personally observed unburied pig carcasses at the location and is dealing with a nasty odor from existing operations still at that pig farm. He went on to state that the ponds are not lined, and have created a fly and pest issue, as well as odor and potential disease issues due to contamination of soil and water. “The slaughter house will only add to this already disgusting situation,” he wrote.
   McDowell’s letter further stated that he has had personal experience with Tri-Western Meat Packing at their Tolleson site, having hauled swinging beef from that plant for more than five years. He said that though they claim to never have been cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for odor issues, he knows they had what he called “a strong, foul odor could be smelled for miles from that plant” and felt it contaminated the air they breathe at their ranch. He felt traffic was a problem. He also noted that they use 24,000 gallons of water a day for cleaning purposes, stating that could be verified by Tolleson water bills, and asked “How does that affect our water table for those residents that operate from wells and not city provided water?” He then touched on the settling ponds for the operation, noting that they would soon occupy the area as a result of the zone change.
   When Mayor Kelly Willis asked if there was a proponent, David Mills, a resident of Snowflake, came to the podium. He explained that he had been hired as a consultant for Tri-Western, and said that the Navajo County Board of Supervisors had encouraged holding another public meeting prior to making a final decision, but did not know if this would count. He said, “The county may table the item and have further discussion on it, especially if there’s a lot of opposition, which we see here tonight.”
   Mayor Willis said, “I think we need to realize and understand this is a major decision for the Town of Snowflake, even though we don’t have the final decision…At the same time, our biggest concern is the safety and welfare and well being of our citizens, and what impact this would actually have on them.” He noted that he found the information provided by Housel disturbing, adding, “We assume that those are legitimate and real facts, and it can be alarming.”
   The mayor indicated that his greatest concern is the timeframe because their next meeting is March 11, the same day as the county’s meeting. He asked Town Manager Paul Watson how to handle the situation.
   Watson said, “I think at this point, speaking from a personal standpoint, that I don’t feel that we have enough of the actual facts from both sides of what is being proposed, so if I was sitting in your seat it would be difficult to make a decision either way just because I don’t have enough information to make an intelligent decision.” He then suggested that the council direct staff members to do some follow through.
   Mayor Willis said, “I would think the decision this town makes would be the decision the county super-visors would listen to and feel strongly about.” He added that even though the property is in the rocks, it is prime property, and also noted that the town is looking for jobs. “I realize it is a decision that will affect the town for years to come, and I think we need to make it wisely and prudently,” he said.
   The mayor then asked staff to get more information on the subject.
   Councilman Charlie Hendrickson said, “Before we get stampeded into reaction, I really think we need to hear from Tri-Western…While I certainly understand the concerns of the citizens, I think we’d hear a different story from Tri-Western.”
   Mills reiterated that the county has advised them to have another meeting, and noted that he felt that the March 11 meeting could be postponed. A meeting will be set up to allow the council to get more information.