The Metropolitan Planning Commission has approved the addition of funeral homes and crematoriums as acceptable uses in light industrial zoning districts, provided business owners get special approval for the latter.
The commission voted 9-2 on Tuesday for the text amendment after petitioner Willie Michael of Michael and Brown Funeral Home asked for permission to build a new funeral home and crematorium in this district.
Michael said his business had been displaced by the widening of West Bay Street, and a new location he found in a light industrial zone did not make provision for his updated business model.
“I’ve been down since September, waiting to get approval to begin renovations and setting myself up,” Michael said.
The light industrial zone currently allows a laundry list of other uses, including restaurants, nightclubs, correctional community centers, building material sites and outdoor storage facilities.
Areas around the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport are designated light industrial as well as smaller zones throughout the city in both east and west Savannah.
Given the variety of uses already in place and the fact funeral homes operate in many other zoning districts, planning staff had recommended approval of the amendment by-right — meaning an owner would not need to seek approval to open a funeral home or crematory.
There are about 10 funeral homes within Savannah’s city limits, although not all of them provide cremation services.
Some commissioners said they were OK with funeral homes being by-right but not crematoriums, given that some neighborhoods are adjacent to this zoning.
“I wouldn’t support it by right, there has to be some other governing authority that takes a last look,” said board member Timothy Mackey. “The public should be aware of it.”
Commissioners Lacy Manigault and City Manager Stephanie Cutter also expressed concern about the lack of public notification for the crematorium component.
“Notification within certain boundaries is important,” said Cutter.
The commission eventually approved both definitions, separating crematoriums out for Zoning Board of Appeals approval, while allowing Michael to proceed with his plans for a new funeral home.