Snellville seeks crematory deal

The city of Snellville, sued by a local crematory in November, is trying to work out a deal with the business that has stirred controversy in the city for months, officials said.

“There’s a lawsuit and we’re trying to discuss a resolution,” said Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer, who would not elaborate further.

Councilman Tod Warner confirmed “there’s something afoot.” But as with other crematory-related issues, he said, “there seems to be some division on the council, so it appears there won’t be any solutions forthcoming.”

City attorney Mike Williams —- along with an attorney assigned to the case by the city’s insurance company, GIRMA —- are reviewing the options and will have a recommendation within 60 days on whether to settle or “take our chances” in court, Warner said.

Williams could not be reached for comment.

Cremation Society of the South was ordered to shut down in October after an appeals board revoked its operating licenses. In its ruling, the board cited building plans that differed substantial from the business that opened Sept. 2 at U.S. 78 and Abington Drive.

Attorney Kevin Moore, who represents crematory owner Chris Nuzum, filed a lawsuit Nov. 12 against the city, its planning department director and the appeals board, seeking unspecified damages and demanding the city reissue certificates of occupancy and development conformance.

Moore confirmed Wednesday that he had been in talks with the city, but he doesn’t know if it will go beyond that. “There’s nothing definitive,” he said. “There are no proposals from either side.”

Councilman Robert Jenkins said he couldn’t comment on pending litigation, but he said he hadn’t even seen the lawsuit.

“In the meantime, the crematory’s closed down, so that’s fine with me,” Jenkins said. “I don’t know what the next step is going to be in this thing.”