A judge has ruled against allowing Wholestone Farms a permit of occupancy before the public can vote on whether to allow new slaughterhouses in Sioux Falls, dealing a blow to the company’s plans to develop a new facility on the east side of the city.
Judge Sandra Hoglund Hanson, a circuit judge for Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, revoked all of Wholestone Farms’ permits issued by the City of Sioux Falls and ordered the city not to take any more action before the November election, according to a press release from Smart Growth Sioux Falls, a group opposing the facility.
The order comes after Wholestone moved to potentially circumvent the proposed slaughterhouse ban by building a butcher shop in the location prior to the November election. The city issued an occupancy permit to the company on Oct. 7.
"We are pleased that the court decided in favor of the people of Sioux Falls, who have every right to determine whether they want new slaughterhouses as their neighbors," said Robert Peterson, Smart Growth Sioux Falls treasurer.
Sioux Falls residents will vote on the slaughterhouse ban proposal in the Nov. 8 general election.
