White Sulphur Springs resident celebrate denial of slaughterhouse in town limits

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV (WVNS) — A group of White Sulphur Springs residents celebrated at City Hall on Monday morning, moments after the White Sulphur Springs Zoning and Planning Committee ruled the Mountain Steer Meat Company could not operate a slaughterhouse inside town limits.

M.J. Oref, a White Sulphur Springs resident who opposed the slaughterhouse, led a protest at city hall just moments before the hearing on Monday, June 3, 2024.

“We wish the boys well. We’re not against their business,” Oref, a businesswoman, said after the hearing. “We’re just against their business as it stands with cattle and sheep and pigs and lambs or whatever they were going to slaughter there in city limits. It’s just a good idea to put it somewhere else and be successful there.”

The town’s zoning officer had originally denied the request, citing a city ordinance which bans slaughterhouses, but owners of the Mountain Steer Meat Company had appealed the decision, saying they would follow strict rules at the slaughterhouse if town officials would grant a conditional use permit.

“This never, in my opinion, should’ve gone before the board of zoning appeals,” said resident Marie Lewis, after the Monday hearing. “It was denied by the zoning officer. He was perfectly correct. That should’ve been the end of it. they appealed for a conditional use which is plainly not allowed.”

The city attorney had weighed in to committee members last week, and on Monday morning, four of the five committee members voted against the slaughterhouse, while the fifth abstained from voting.

Outside city hall after the vote, town residents were satisfied, with Mac McEntire giving a thumbs up and saying, “We did it!”

Resident Robert Cane applauded the outcome.

“What happened is what should’ve happened,” said Cane. “I think they followed the code in detail and came up with the only conclusion they could’ve come up with.”

Mountain Steer Meat Company officials did not offer an immediate comment on Monday evening.

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