Residents raised concerns about persistent odors near Sigma Agriscience at the Winnsboro City Council's Oct. 13 meeting. Some said the odors affected their homes, outdoor activities and quality of life. One resident reported breathing problems. A letter from a neighbor, read at the meeting, called for independent air testing and an investigation by environmental and public health agencies. The letter also raised concerns about cancer diagnoses among nearby residents but acknowledged that the diagnoses did not establish a common cause or show that Sigma was responsible.
City Attorney Blake Armstrong told council members that the city can enforce its noxious odor ordinance against Sigma but must involve the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The city must submit a complaint, and the agency has 45 days to respond. Armstrong also said the city could not use a missing certificate of occupancy to shut down a business it had allowed to operate for several years, and advised against requiring a specific use permit for the facility.
Wagon Junction operators and a tenant questioned the city's permitting and accessibility requirements. Armstrong said a permanent specific use permit requires a site plan that meets city ordinances. No formal action was taken on either matter. Mayor Richard Parrish said the city would set up a procedure for documenting odor complaints and let Wagon Junction keep operating while its permit requirements are reviewed.