Commission approves home-based wild-game processing operation with restrictions

The Churchill County Planning Commission on July 9 approved a special use permit for a home-based wild-game processing facility at 600 Howard Place, subject to conditions designed to limit neighborhood impacts and protect on-site infrastructure.

Applicant Nathan Koyama and co-applicant Ellen Covington described operations in which customers would drop off and pick up wild game by appointment. Director Randy Hynes and staff said the application requests the SUP because of customer visits, a home-business sign and an additional commercial vehicle. Staff recommended conditions including limiting customer visits to 8 a.m.–6 p.m., allowing operational work hours up to 8 p.m., requiring carcass waste to be kept in cold storage and not stored outdoors, adding a sink/drain separator to protect the septic system, and allowing a modest increase in carcass capacity to 10 animals as acceptable.

Koyama told the commission his expected maximum processing capacity is roughly six animals per week, that pick-ups would be brief and pre-boxed, and that he had designed procedures to control waste and odors. The Navy base (NAS Fallon) had no objection on record; no other public comments were received.

Commissioners asked about future plans; Koyama said he might pursue a state custom-exempt processing license later, at which point he would return for additional permitting. Commissioners stressed that domestic-animal slaughtering would require separate review and approval. Commissioner Joe Frey moved to approve the SUP with staff conditions except for his suggested limit on operating hours (he asked to keep 8 a.m.–8 p.m. operational hours); the motion passed unanimously. The approval is subject to a 10-day appeal period.