GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Funeral home owner Bill Head would like to put a 436-square-foot state of the art crematorium on Lawrenceville Highway in Gwinnett County.
But residents who live nearby say they're against the project for a slew of reasons, including property values, pollution and cultural beliefs.
At a planning commission meeting Wednesday evening, the commission denied Head's request to move his crematorium from one location to another.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Erica Byfield was there for the decision.
"It was close but still we are very, very happy that over all democracy wins," said Shankar Rajam, who is against the crematorium.
A group against the crematorium signed a petition, waved signs and wore white to signify their solidarity at Wednesday's meeting.
"That smoke stack from the crematory would be 20 feet from the nearest property line and we've got kids, elderly," said Tia Severino, who is also against the crematorium.
"This proposal has scared away all the potential buyers," said Huifeng Shan, who is against the crematorium.
Head sat in on the planning commission meeting, but didn't want to speak on camera, so Byfield asked his attorney some questions.
"I think tonight they voted on unfounded reasoning," said attorney Gerald Davidson Jr.
While Davidson is disappointed in the vote, he was glad three members voted in their favor.
Gwinnett County currently has seven crematoriums: North GeorgIa Crematory; Gwinnett Crematory; Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory; Tapp - Tim Stewart Funeral Home & Crematory; Eternal Hills Funeral Home & Crematory; R.T. Patterson Funeral Home & Cremation Service; and Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc.
"You look at where they are located … they haven't had any negative impact on any of the surrounding properties, beside them, behind them or across the street … nowhere," said Davidson.
Despite the vote, the fight is not over. The next show down is Nov. 16, when both sides will finally get their chance to go before the Gwinnett County Commissioners.
WSBTV
