Should a crematorium be located near the heart of downtown Fayetteville?
That decision could be rendered Thursday night, after nearly 12 years of discussion by C.J. Mowell and Sons Funeral Home to locate one at their Fayetteville facility, a fixture on Jeff Davis Drive for more than a half century.
Carl J. Mowell, represented by his son David Mowell, is requesting a special exception to allow a crematory to be located at 172 North Jeff Davis Drive. The lot, which is zoned C-2, is next to their existing funeral home property located at 180 North Jeff Davis Drive. The property is just under an acre in size and contains an existing duplex.
Mowell would like to build a new structure, behind the existing house, to house the crematorium. To do this, Mowell seeks a special exception to the zoning category, and will submit development plans and elevations if the special exception is approved.
The issue already was turned down by the Planning Commission, but Mowell is appealing the decision to the City Council.
In its report to the City Council, staff recommends approving the special exception for several reasons.
Earlier this year, the staff visited McKoon Funeral Home in downtown Newnan to watch a cremation in progress.
“The retort (cremation device) is located in a garage, with an apartment above it, at the back of the funeral home property. A funeral home employee lives in the upstairs apartment with his family.
The retort looks similar to a large kiln. It is approximately 18 feet long by 10 feet deep by 10 feet high. The retort is powered by natural gas. A cremation takes about three hours to complete and McKoon’s funeral home averages three cremations per week. The sound level of the retort outside of the building is similar to that of refrigeration units or commercial air conditioning units. There is a chimney that comes out of the roof of the building. Staff did not observe any smoke or ash coming from the chimney, but rather the visual distortion of hot air similar to the heat that rises off of asphalt in the summer. “There was no smell coming from the retort,” reported the staff.
Mowell’s also submitted data from the retort (cremation device) manufacturer that indicates a fast food restaurant grilling hamburgers emits more elements into the atmosphere than a crematory does.
In reviewing the issue, staff indicates it will have a minimal impact, and recommended approval of the request with four conditions:
• Only one retort (cremation device) be allowed.
• Cremations may take place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only.
• If the funeral home ceases operation, the crematory will not be allowed as a stand-alone facility.
• The new structure housing the crematorium shall meet all requirements of the Main Street Architectural Overlay District and all other city ordinances.
Thursday’s meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
