KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Expansion plans for a Lone Jack meat company were dealt a final blow by the Missouri Water Commission.
The group sided with the Administrative Hearing Commission's ruling and reversed the decision to grant an expansion permit to Valley Oaks.
The expansion, which is adjacent to Powell Gardens, would have increased the number of cattle at the facility from 999 to nearly 7,000.
Some critics have said it will lead to unpleasant odors in the area, possible environmental concerns, and negative impacts on property values.
In a statement to 41 Action News, Powell Gardens CEO/President Tabitha Schmidt said her company expects Valley Oaks to file another permit but hopes "they will take this opportunity to work with the local community to address the many pressing concerns raised over the past several months."
The full statement from Schmidt can be read below:
"My Board of Directors and I are thrilled that the Clean Water Commission made the right decision today and voted to side with the Administrative Hearing Commission and reverse the original decision to issue an expansion permit to the Valley Oaks co. There were serious deficiencies with the application that could have posed a serious risk to Powell Gardens and the surrounding communities. We understand that the owners of the Valley Oaks property are likely to file another application in the near future, and hope that they will take this opportunity to work with the local community to address the many pressing concerns raised over the past several months. We also hope that the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Carol Comer, will do everything possible to ensure the process takes the public’s concerns into account going forward and keep in mind the impact that a development like this would have on local families and businesses.”
