Morton County approves Saint Anthony Commercial Park, permits Grama Butcher Shop and grants phased tax relief

The Morton County Commission on Sept. 11 approved the final plat and zoning map amendments for Saint Anthony Commercial Park, granted a special‑use permit to Saint Anthony Meats (Grama Butcher Shop) to operate a minor meat‑processing facility on Lot 2, Block 2, and authorized a phased five‑year property tax exemption for the business. The commission approved the measures by voice vote or roll call; the tax incentive passed on a roll call with all commissioners voting yes.

The approvals clear several regulatory steps that the applicants said they need to open a small, custom meat‑processing operation serving local producers and residents. Planning and Zoning staff recommended approval of the subdivision and the special‑use permit with conditions; the road commission recommended a developer agreement tying hard surfacing to later development. County staff and the applicants explained the project’s anticipated scale and the public‑health and infrastructure conditions that will apply.

Saint Anthony Meats plans to operate as a custom‑exempt, minor meat‑processing facility, initially processing about 12 head of beef per week with the possibility of increasing to 15 after the business is established. Applicant Steven Goda said the operation would slaughter one day a week and process four days a week, producing roughly 24 vehicle trips weekly (12 drop‑offs, 12 pickups) plus employee trips. "I don't wanna take federal slaughter off of our radar," Goda said; he added that the business will begin as custom‑exempt and could pursue federal inspection later if systems are refined.

Planning staff told the commission the site can be served with three‑phase power and water from Missouri West Water. The site plan submitted to planning shows an on‑site septic drain…