JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Planning Commission failed to recommend approval or denial of a measure that would allow a halal grocery store to open an animal processing facility on its Beach Boulevard property, according to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.
According to the JDR, dozens of residents showed up to a Thursday hearing to oppose Apna Bazar’s request that would allow them to open a slaughterhouse within a proposed expansion on its property.
While the commission recommended approval for a land use amendment, a vote on a rezoning request for the same property tied at a 3-3 vote, which under the procedural rules resulted in the item being deferred.
A site plan for Apna Bazar shows a 30,000-squarepfoot addition and a 23,800-square-foot free-standing building that would include the animal processing facility. (Credit: Jacksonville Daily Record) (Jacksonville Daily Record)
Community members have long opposed the rezoning request, citing potential environmental impacts and other concerns.
According to JDR, the halal grocer’s request for rezoning is the organization’s second since April 2024. At that time, ownership withdrew a previous request for a zoning exception for land in Northwest Jacksonville from the Planning Commission after area residents voiced disapproval of the development.
Last year’s request led to dozens of residents turning out for a public hearing on the project, where they raised objections about noise, smells, and traffic the processing center would bring, along with its potential effect on property values.
The opposition has organized online and in the neighborhood. Signs reading “No to the slaughterhouse” have been posted throughout the area, and QR codes placed on streets allow residents and passersby to scan and sign a Change.org petition.
On Thursday, Commission Chair Charles Garrison said the Jacksonville City Council Land Use and Zoning Committee could exercise an option to take up the item instead of it returning to the commission.
Read more at The Jacksonville Daily Record
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