Pearland, TX - Pearland residents are upset about a new business trying to move into the community.
A new livestock processing center could be on the same street as homes, an elementary school and a mosque.
An application for a conditional use permit was filed for the property on Garden Road. There will be a public hearing to discuss the application Monday.
“People don’t want to live next door to where ever they’re slaughtering animals,” said Trent Perez, Pearland City Councilman.
Perez has been fielding messages from constituents for the last couple days.
Neighbors say they are concerned about the sounds and smells that come with livestock harvesting.
“It’s a necessary part of our society to have an animal processing center. My take is, would I buy a home or put a business next to animal processing center, or slaughter house if you prefer that term? said Perez. "If I was making the choice, I wouldn't want to buy or build a home next to a use like this. How would I feel if the use was allowed to move in next to me."
KHOU 11 News talked to the property owner Wednesday who assured their business would not disrupt the neighborhood.
Amir Qureshi sent a written statement to address public concerns:
“I are indeed planning to build a livestock processing center on our property. However, this will be a relatively small scale operation. Livestock harvesting will be done according to city approved guidelines, and the volume is expected to be no more than 20 animals or so per day. The processing center itself will be placed deep into the property and for the most part will not be visible from outside. At the front of the property, we currently have a residence house occupied by the family who is taking care of the property. We have no current plans to change that. Also given the relatively small size of the property, there will be no significant raising of animals there. Based on the above, it is unlikely that the meat market activities will cause any harm to the neighbors nor is it expected to adversely affect the value of their properties. A small scale operation like that is unlikely to cause any smell problems and we plan to follow all guidelines of the city to control that. We are very careful to maintain good relationships with our neighbors.”
Qureshi and neighbors will have a chance to voice their opinions in front of the Pearland City Council Monday.
City staff say they will recommend denying the permit, because it seems to be incompatible with the neighborhood.
Council could vote to approve or deny the permit after the public hearing Monday.