Bethlehem council adopts new 'Planned Industrial Campus' zoning and rezones hatchery site amid odor complaints

The Bethlehem City Council voted to adopt text amendments to the Unified Development Code that create a new Planned Industrial Campus (PIC) classification and to rezone 84 Smith Mill Road from M1 to PIC to accommodate an expansion at the hatchery operated by Wayne Sanderson Farms. The council recorded the UDC adoption as passing unanimously after members agreed to remove several broad industrial uses and to correct a title typo before finalizing the ordinance.

Why it matters: Councilors and residents said the change will allow property improvements and modern equipment upgrades but warned that the PIC column as first drafted listed many industrial uses the town does not want automatically available. The council walked the use table during the meeting and directed staff and the applicant to remove or make conditional categories not needed for the hatchery expansion.

Applicant and company statements: Stan Porter, the project's attorney, told the council the request is intended to reflect longstanding uses at the hatchery parcel and to allow renovations and an expansion of the facility. Jason Norris, identified in the public hearing as the company’s senior director of engineering, said the expansion is intended to increase processing capacity and estimated production increases of “about 10%” at the plant as a result of upgrades. Norris described technical mitigations planned for the hatchery operation, including a new vacuum system with a silencer and enclosure aimed at reducing noise, and a new civil stormwater system intended to capture hatchery runoff.

Resident concerns and specific incidents: Several residents said odors from the hatchery and processing plant have been persistent and severe. Jean Ross, who lives near the plant, asked where “150 to 200” additional employees would park and warned Smith Mill Road is not prepared for more traffic. Morganie Hensley, an adjacent property owner, described strong, persistent drifting odors and asked what provisions the company will make to limit noise and smells. Bette Maddox recounted a recent spill she said left poultry parts in her car and required pressure washing and extended cleaning; she said the smell lingered in her neighborhood for days.

Company monitoring and follow-up: The company said it is investigating reported odors and that upgrades to processes and equipment may reduce smell and noise; the company also said it will use third-party monitoring (24–48 hour observations with decibel and odor observations) and provide reports to the town. Council members directed staff to keep lines of communication open and asked the company to return for follow-up if complaints continue.

Council action and conditions: The council approved the UDC text amendments with edits that remove several broad industrial categories from the PIC column and correct the ordinance title. For the rezoning of 84 Smith Mill Road, the council moved and approved the change to PIC and agreed to schedule a community progress review with Wayne Sanderson Farms in January 2027 (a formal invitation and follow-up meeting were approved). The transcript does not provide a full roll-call tally for the rezoning vote in the record provided; the UDC adoption was recorded by the chair as passing unanimously.

What’s next: Staff said a revised draft reflecting the changes discussed at the hearing will be produced and made available ahead of the council’s next meeting. The company was formally invited to present progress on its remodel and mitigation efforts at a January 2027 review. Residents were told they can report ongoing odor or spill incidents through established channels; the council discussed using 911/hazmat response for immediate spill response and a town contact form for complaints.

Sources: Direct statements during the public hearing from Stan Porter (attorney for the applicant), Jason Norris (senior director of engineering), and multiple residents including Jean Ross, Morganie Hensley and Bette Maddox. The council’s motion to adopt the UDC amendments and the subsequent procedural vote are recorded in the meeting transcript.