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Fauquier supervisors adopt zoning amendment to allow wild-game processing (abattoirs) with special permits
Summary
The Board adopted Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 24-01937 to define and permit wild-game processing facilities (abattoirs) with special permits or special exceptions depending on parcel size and zoning; supporters said the change will help hunters, farmers and disease monitoring.
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors adopted Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 24-01937 to allow wild-game processing facilities (described in the amendment as abattoir/wild-game processing) in specified zoning districts under special permit or special exception standards.
Under the adopted amendment, a definition for wild-game processing was added to include the processing, cutting and packaging of non-domesticated animals harvested in the wild, such as deer, bear, boar, elk, squirrel, rabbit and wild birds. The amendment does not authorize keeping or slaughtering of livestock for agricultural production; it focuses on processing and packaging functions.
Staff described the zoning approach: wild-game processing facilities are proposed as an industrial use permitted with approval of a special permit on parcels up to 4 acres located in the Industrial Park and Industrial General zoning districts. Facilities on parcels larger than 4 acres would require approval of a special exception in Agriculture, Village, Industrial Park and Industrial General zoning districts. The amendment also proposed additional performance and operational standards for this use category.
David Gibson of the Marshall District, a speaker in favor of the amendment, told the board he submitted a letter of support and emphasized the economic importance of hunting and processing to Virginia and rural incomes. Gibson said processors are critical for managing chronic wasting disease by providing collection points for carcasses and monitoring; he told the board chronic wasting disease detections have increased in the state and noted eight cases in Fauquier County cited in his remarks.
Supporters argued the amendment will help preserve rural hunting economies and provide infrastructure for a seasonal but important industry that has lost processing capacity in recent years. The planning commission held a work session and a public hearing earlier and unanimously recommended adoption of the amendment.
The board adopted the zoning text amendment; the motion and second were made and the chair called for the aye votes. The transcript records the motion carried.
Ending: With the ordinance adopted, staff will proceed with implementation steps to define permitting processes and applicable operational standards for wild-game processing facilities and to notify affected stakeholders about the new use category.
