The Omaha City Council on Tuesday voted 5 to 1 to approve a new live meat market in south Omaha.

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A new live meat market means Omahans can choose their dinner and watch it be slaughtered.City Council members debated for more than an hour Tuesday about a proposal for Tom's Live Meat Market, owned by Tom Meyer.Video: Plans move forward for live meat market"You can come in there and actually look and pick the live animal you want processed," Meyer said of his business plan.Meyer said he made deliveries of livestock to similar businesses on the East Coast. He also has experience working on farms.Meyer said the animals will come from local producers. The livestock will be kept in pens and will not be visible from the street.City Council members grilled Meyer about the viewing of slaughter at his business."It just kind of triggers the undeveloped world, the third world," said Councilman Chris Jerram, who voted against the proposal.Councilman Rich Pahls made an argument for the market, comparing it to area agriculture."Some of the things we have concerns about happen on a regular basis on the farm," Pahls said.The proposal eventually passed 5 to 1. The site will be on N Street, in what Councilman Garry Gernandt describes as an industrial area that has long supported this type of business."In that industry in my district slaughters probably 4,000 to 6,000 head of cattle per day," Gernandt said.Jim Aliano has been in business on N Street since the 80s. He's ready to welcome the new neighbors, livestock and all."I wouldn't be against it. If it helps South Omaha in any way shape or form," Aliano said.Aliano said the street needs more development.The proposal didn't pass in its original form. Council members approved it with an amendment stating children under the age of 12 will not be permitted in the slaughter area."The stipulation isn't that big of deal," Meyer said, "But you can only police people so much."