Crematory Permits Sought

Crematory owners who received permits last year to operate units for human and animal remains want permits for two more animal cremation units and one additional human cremation unit.

Local environmental regulators recently notified the East Ybor Historic & Civic Association of the applications from Cremation Center of Ybor, 1401 N. 26th St.

Permits are issued within 30 days if crematories show they can meet environmental standards. No public hearings are required.

The center would be eligible to begin construction and operation effective Monday, according to a letter from the county's Environmental Protection Commission.

"We want them to abide by every itty-bitty city code there is," said Fran Costantino, president of the East Ybor civic group.

The association opposed the initial two permits last year but found that state rule changes limited the local environmental agency's authority. In response, the county commission approved its own changes to tighten monitoring rules for how the units operate and establish training requirements.

The notice was sent to the East Ybor group as a courtesy, said Jerry Campbell, the county's air management director.

"If neighbors did have some concerns, it gives them the opportunity to ask about it and maybe dismiss their concerns," Campbell said. Owners "sometimes compromise and do things to accommodate neighbors."

Cremation Center of Ybor was permitted in February 2007. Another facility, Ybor Funeral and Cremation Center, 3822 E. Seventh Ave., was permitted soon after.

Both facilities are near homes and Ybor City's local historical district. Residents worried they would lower property values and harm people with asthma or emphysema.

But owners and regulators say properly operated crematories are not significant polluters or health hazards.

Responding to public outcry, the city council last year asked for a new law to make it harder for crematories to open in neighborhoods. A proposed ordinance was presented in February, but a vote was postponed when industry representatives said they wanted more discussions with city staff.

Susan Long, president of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association, asked the council to allow crematories no closer than 500 feet to a residence.

City officials say they expect to present a new ordinance to the council by fall after more meetings with neighbors and crematory owners.