Arissa Viering | 7/21/2020 | Goodday Mineral Wells | City Council News
MINERAL WELLS, TX – On July 21st, 2020, the Mineral Wells City Council unanimously denied the approval of a Specific Use Permit to operate a Protein Conversion Facility at the property located at 579 Grant Road.
Several weeks prior to July 6th, 2020, Texas Renewables, LLC, came forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission with an interest in purchasing the property at 579 Grant Road and opening a facility that receives raw blood and converts it to a protein based product. Upon review of the zoning ordinance, it was ruled that this use wasn’t allowed and that the zoning ordinance would be required to be amended in order for legal operation to occur.
As the result of a request by Texas Renewables, the Planning and Zoning
Commission conducted a public hearing and considered an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance to add “Protein Conversion Facility” as an allowed use within the WP-A Zone with a Specific Use Permit.
The definition of a Protein Conversion Facility is: A facility that converts waste from animal operations into an alternative form of protein that can be used as an additive in other products, such as pet food, or as an organic fertilizer.
The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) met on July 6th, 2020 to consider the amendment to the zoning ordinance. There was discussion among members of the P&Z regarding concern about odors and waste disposal. Ultimately, they voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amendment.
On July 21st, 2020, the City Council convened to address the amendment. Concerns regarding the odor were once again brought forward.
“A business of this type would jeopardize the ability to further development.”
Doyle Light, Ward 4 Council Member
The council unanimously opposed the approval of the Specific Use Permit needed to allow for the legal operations of Texas Renewables, LLC, to occur.
Former Co-Founder | June 2020-Nov 2020 | Graduate of Texas Christian University with a background in medical anthropology, psychology, and creative writing. Passionate about writing novels. Loved the Mineral Wells community and all that it had offered her and her family.
