The Boulder County’s Department of Community Planning & Permitting is inviting the public to provide input on proposed changes to land use code that would allow farmers to slaughter, dress, and process animals on site.
The proposed changes are intended to reduce the barriers farmers face in bringing products to market by creating a provision in the code that clearly permits such activity, according to a news release. The amendment also would separate less intensive animal processing operations from existing larger-scale meat processing and butchering use in the code, according to the release. A draft of the amendment can be viewed here.
The changes are aimed at promoting a diverse and sustainable agricultural economy in the county, Dale Case, director of the county’s Land Use Department, told the Leader last week. The county’s review of zoning related to farming showed changes needed to be made to mirror shifts in local agriculture operations.
“The restrictions on processing were identified by several farmers as a barrier to establishing a sustainable local food economy,” Case said last week. “The code did not recognize the small scale processing these farmers need and lumped the use in with some of the more intensive operations."
Community members can sign up to meet virtually with a planner for one-on-one or small group sessions to learn more about the proposed changes. Virtual meeting times are available until Sept. 18. Sign-up online at boco.org/dc-20-0002-
The planning team also is looking to meet farmers, ranchers and producers out in the field to better learn how the amendment would benefit their operations and allow them to extend their participation in the local economy.
For more information or to submit a comment on the proposed changes, visit the DC-20-0002 Accessory Meat or Poultry Processing docket webpage.
For questions, or to host a farm visit, email planner Alberto De Los Rios at [email protected]
