David Mowell was at the Jan. 26 meeting of the Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission for a staff topic dealing with a proposal to allow a crematorium on the site of the family funeral home on North Jeff Davis Drive. The proposal will be on the agenda for a potential vote in February.
Nearly half of all clients want loved ones cremated, funeral home operator says
Citing the increasing need for an on-site crematorium facility, Mowell said nearly half the funeral home’s business comes with families wanting their loved ones cremated. “It’s a huge part of the way we serve families,” Mowell said of the growing requests for cremation. “We want to be able to meet that need.”
Mowell said emissions from crematoriums are strictly regulated, adding that, “I won’t do anything to jeopardize my family or my reputation.”
Chairman Sarah Murphy said she wanted to know that neighbors are protected, with Mowell subsequently saying that he would speak with area residents.
Commissioner Derryll Anderson, who lives in the neighborhood, said she saw no problem with the proposal.
“I never considered that they didn’t have a crematorium,” Anderson said. Planning Director Jahnee Prince recommended that the proposal consider a special exception request rather than asking for C-2 (commercial) zoning for the site.
Prince noted that the city has more than 100 properties carrying C-2 zoning, adding that a crematorium may not be something the city would like to include in that zoning category. Mowell said that, if approved, a new crematorium building would be constructed on the funeral home property and would include an office and viewing room.
Mowell in response to a question by Commissioner Ken Collins said he would bring more extensive plans when the item returns next month for a potential vote.
Prince in response to a question by Commissioner Toby Spencer said she would furnish environmental reports at the next meeting.
