05/05/2026
Update:
The status of Deers Food Locker in Deer Park
This evening the Village of Deer Park voted down 2-1 (Randy Olson -No, Ralph Severson - Yes, John Severson - No) the amendment to allow meat processing to be added in the B-1 District
Some of you may ask, why is this happening?
For the past 60+ years, the Village of Deer Park has neglected the proper description for such business to operate in the B1 District.
Seven decades of negligence……think about that!
In addition, when the code was updated in 2021; it was once again overlooked.
Fast forward to 2025, we made significant improvements to our facilities and were looking to do more with an addition to the east of our building…. it was only then we were notified by the newly hired zoning administrator that our operational use was not allowable in the current zoning….. “sorry, but the good news is you are able to continue under the “grandfather” clause. And for that reason you cannot expand your business…..” OUCH!
“What are my options…..” ask the planning commission to amend the zoning in the B1 District to allow meat processing, have a public hearing, have a planing commission vote (5-0 in favor on April 21 2026) and then a decision by the village board (vote failed 2-1).
End Result, Deer’s Food Locker remains and will resume in the Fall of 2026, but with no ability to expand further. My family and I invested $350,000 of improvements into a dead end we had no idea existed.
Stay tuned.
