JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dozens of residents gathered at a community meeting to express strong opposition to a proposed expansion of Apna Bazar, a halal grocery store on Jacksonville’s Southside, which plans to include a 30,000-square-foot addition featuring an animal slaughterhouse.
This has sparked concerns about noise, odors, and the potential impact on the neighborhood.
“We’re going to fight you every inch of the way,” one resident declared during the meeting, reflecting the sentiment shared by many attendees.
The development team presented details about the project, assuring the community that a U.S. Department of Agriculture representative would inspect all incoming animals.
They also emphasized that the building’s design would minimize noise and odor escaping into the neighborhood.
Cyndy Trimmer, a land use attorney representing the project, explained that the rezoning request is part of a larger expansion plan for the site, not solely focused on the processing facility.
Residents, however, remained concerned. “I’m highly concerned from my friends and neighbors. I don’t want this. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear the animals,” said one attendee.
Others highlighted the importance of respecting the neighborhood’s needs.
“It is not okay to come into a neighborhood when people are struggling to make ends meet. They come to your store, they spend money, they want to welcome you, be good neighbors, but you need to do the same and respect that we just don’t want a slaughterhouse of any kind or processing facility,” a resident said.
The land use and zoning board will review the project again on Oct. 7.
The business owner and land use attorney declined interview requests but News4JAX is working to schedule a future conversation with the owner.