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Forget the politics in crematory debate

The city of Largo is invoking a seldom-used provision of its land development code so city commissioners can decide whether a human crematory can be built near single-family homes.

Under normal circumstances, that decision would be made by the city staff. Serenity Gardens cemetery on Indian Rocks Road is seeking permits to build a 13,177-square-foot crematory with three furnaces. Because the cemetery land is designated as "institutional," and the institutional land use category allows cemeteries and crematories, review and approval of the crematory plans normally would fall to the staff.

However, city code allows such items to be decided by the City Commission at a public hearing when extra scrutiny is needed to protect the public interest.

It was a smart idea to invoke that code provision in this case, which is so important to residents of west Largo. They deserve the opportunity to voice their concerns, hear the pros and cons made by both sides, and watch the decisionmaking process unfold in a public forum.

The proposed crematory, which would be built on the Wilcox Road side of the cemetery, would be only about 120 feet from the nearest homes. Last year, residents said they were worried about traffic, noise and unhealthy emissions from the crematory. They argued that a crematory belongs in a commercial area, not a residential one.

The city hired a consultant to gather information on those issues and bring back some information for staff members who would make the decision.

Now, city commissioners will instead be in the hot seat. They need to use the best research and advice they can get on this subject, because it is complicated and technical. What it should not be is political.

Modern crematories are quiet, odorless and produce very little smoke. They are being built in residential areas - city officials visited one such crematory near Orlando - with no more visible impact than a neighborhood office building.

Yet crematories do produce some invisible emissions, including mercury, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and particulates, though the amounts are small when the facility is properly operated. The public is owed detailed information - the very best science the city can obtain - on the emissions issue.

Some residents have already indicated that politics will be a part of the discussion, saying they voted for certain candidates in the March election because they thought those candidates would oppose the crematory.

We hope no candidates promised such opposition, given that they now must decide the issue following a public hearing where evidence will be presented by both sides.

Regardless, the election campaign is over and commissioners now are obligated to base their decision on evidence and what is best for the entire community of Largo. Cremation is increasingly popular and is an especially sensible choice in a county where space is at a premium. Pinellas County simply will not always have the space to bury its dead in a cemetery.

[Last modified April 28, 2006, 07:41:02]