Crematory vote expected Monday night

The crematory debate in Snellville has snowballed into one of the most controversial issues in city history, rankling residents, dividing the city council and trying the patience of a business owner who believes his operation is being unfairly targeted. Here’s a nuts-and-bolts look at the issue in advance of Monday night’s likely vote on an air-quality control ordinance.

THE ISSUE

City Councilwoman Kelly Kautz wants to prevent bio-waste incinerators such as crematories from polluting the air. Kautz has said she’s not against crematories, but believes there should be more stringent emission standards than the state requires. Chris Nuzum, owner of the controversial crematory, has said the city is trying to assume the role of an environmental protection agency in an effort to overregulate and drive his business out of Snellville.

THE PLAYERS

Kautz, who is an attorney, crafted the ordinance and modeled some of it after a Pennsylvania ordinance. She presented it to the council Sept. 22, two weeks after City Attorney Mike Williams said the city had no authority to regulate emissions.

Nuzum, owner of Cremation Society of the South, opened his business Sept. 2 amid protest from nearby neighbors to council members. But Nuzum has said he’s received no complaints from neighbors since moving in at U.S. 78 and Abington Drive.

THE ORDINANCE

Among other things, the ordinance would:

• Set specific limits on mercury and dioxin/furan emissions.

• Require incinerators to self-monitor these pollutants by obtaining a costly Continuous Emissions Monitoring System or by hiring an engineer.

• Prevent future “air-polluting facilities” within 300 yards of residential properties.

WHAT’S NEXT

The City Council, which is expected to vote Monday night, appears divided on the issue. Councilman Robert Jenkins has been in Kautz’s corner, having voiced concerns over crematories’ possible health risks. Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer has said there are state and federal agencies that protect the environment and that the city has no business butting in. Nuzum said he is prepared to take the matter to court.