(Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)
(Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)
Plans for crematorium withdrawn
Last Modified: Friday, October 26, 2012 9:07 PM
By Eric Cormier / American Press
A group looking to build a funeral home in south Lake Charles has decided not to move forward with plans to combat public outcry over a crematorium.
On Friday, Lake Charles city official Doug Burgieres told the American Press that he received an email informing him of the group’s desire not to argue its case.
“I got confirmation that they withdrew the crematorium part in their application,” he said. “They still want to move forward with consideration for approval of the funeral home.”
The funeral home could be constructed at the corner of Common and Oakwood streets.
Earlier this month, the Planning and Zoning Commission granted a “conditional use zone change from residential to commercial.” That decision was appealed to the City Council, which will decide the issue on Nov. 7.
A group of residents opposes the facility being built in their neighborhood.
What concerned them was a perceived environmental threat from the crematorium caused by mercury from burned tooth fillings contaminating the air.
Opponents also argue that the neighborhood where the funeral home would be built has been zoned residential for 60 years, and they don’t want that designation to change.
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