After trying to open a USDA certified meat packing plant on her
San Benito County Ranch for several years, Sallie Calhoun, owner of
Paicines Ranch, opened Cutting Edge Meat in Newman.
It was a combination of federal, state and county regulations
that killed the project within the county, Calhoun said.
Although Paicines Ranch is zoned for agriculture, a meat packing
facility required a zoning change.
After trying to open a USDA certified meat packing plant on her San Benito County Ranch for several years, Sallie Calhoun, owner of Paicines Ranch, opened Cutting Edge Meat in Newman.
It was a combination of federal, state and county regulations that killed the project within the county, Calhoun said.
Although Paicines Ranch is zoned for agriculture, a meat packing facility required a zoning change.
“The planning commission seemed supportive so the zoning was changed,” said Art Henriques, San Benito County’s planning director.
The zoning allowed a 12,500-square-foot facility with a maximum capacity of 100 animals per day, Henriques said. Cutting Edge can process up to 110 large animals per day.
“There was some concern that it not be a large facility because that would be more typical of an industrial area,” Henriques said.
After the zoning change, Calhoun wanted an amendment to allow a larger facility and additional uses, such as dog food processing and a feedlot, Henriques said.
“Those types of things tend to create smell and flies,” Henriques said. “It was beyond what the county was willing to entertain in those zone districts.”
The ordinance that allows small-scale slaughterhouses is available to other people, Henriques said.
Henriques said he is glad that Calhoun was able to find a community that fit her needs.
“I think part of what this story is about is finding the best fit in the community you were in,” Henriques said.
