A proposal to create a huge cattle feedlot near Outlook, Sask. is encountering some public opposition and a petition has emerged, a meeting heard Thursday night.

An Alberta farmer, Stuart Thiessen, wants to feed up to 36,000 head of cattle on a section of land near the town in the rural municipality of Rudy.

The reeve and the council were supposed to vote on the project Thursday night, and about three dozen people showed up to watch.

However, shortly before the meeting began, someone delivered a petition calling for a referendum, Reeve Wayne Vaxvick said.

In response, council gave its administrator a month to determine if there are enough signatures to force a public vote.

The petition started by Doug Bigelow contained fewer than 70 signatures.

He fears property taxes will rise because of added wear on roads from traffic to and from the feedlot.

"The ratepayers of the RM ought to have the opportunity to vote on it," he said.

On the other side of the issue, Grant Pederson is one of the supporters of the project, which some say could become Saskatchewan's largest feedlot.

"Traffic is going to go by my place, I know that," Pederson said. "But if we can increase the tax base we can do a lot more improvements."

The man behind the feedlot idea said he would wait to see how it all unfolds.

"I'm not packing up and going home," Thiessen said. "That's what some want. No, not a hope."

If there is a referendum, it won't take place until November 2011.