On Nov. 29, the Kaufman, Texas Board of Adjustments moved a step closer to closing Dallas Crown Inc., one of two horse meat processing plants in Texas, on the basis that many residents consider it a nuisance to the community. The board voted 4 to 0 to reverse a grandfather clause that had previously exempted Dallas Crown Inc. from city zoning ordinances, according to a Dallas Morning News article. Kaufman residents making the complaints said the plant had violated water and air regulations.

Terry Capehart, Kaufman’s director of development services, told the Dallas Morning News that the city had thoroughly documented problems with the plant.

“It’s the impact they’re having on the immediate area,” Capehart told the paper. “The neighbors who live around there have a problem with flies and other vermin and the smell.”

Mark Calabria, an attorney for Dallas Crown Inc., said in the article, “The bigger issue is what abatement or corrective action they want them (the plant) to take.” The city will address those issues in January 2006