Published: November 24, 2009 10:06 am      

Plan rejected for slaughterhouse in Ellis County

WAXAHACHIE, Texas (AP) — Ellis County Commissioners rejected plans for a proposed slaughterhouse after concerns about safety, traffic and pollution were raised.

The motion to deny the location for the planned kosher slaughterhouse was approved Monday night.

Commissioner Bill Dodson, in his motion, said the "operation is incompatible with existing land use of the neighboring area."

Property owner Shamsul Ahmed sought approval to establish a U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected slaughterhouse, for the sale of meats, mainly goats and lambs, out of state.

Ahmed told commissioners that his business was not a processing plant.

Some residents raised safety concerns, an increased traffic burden and possible lower property values on land near the slaughterhouse.

Opponent Rodney Ramsey said he was concerned that the slaughterhouse would get bigger.

The proposed site is near Alma, in southeast Ellis County, about 30 miles south of Dallas.