Animal crematory approval is sought

November 04, 2002|by TARA REILLY

The Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals will hear an application Wednesday night for a small animal crematory proposed behind Boonsboro Produce on Old National Pike just outside of Boonsboro.

According to zoning documents, Peter W. Anderson has asked the zoning appeals board for a special exception to open the crematory in a 30- by 60-foot building owned by Joseph D. Reese of Boonsboro. Reese also owns Boonsboro Produce.

Reese said Friday he didn't know much about the proposed crematory, but Anderson asked him to rent the concrete building.

"This has nothing to do with the produce store," Reese said.

Anderson, of Clear Spring, stated in a letter to the zoning appeals board that he would own and operate the crematory, which would handle contractual cremations for local animal hospitals.

Anderson said he would pick up the animals from the hospitals and take them to the crematory. The ashes would either be returned to the hospitals and given to pet owners or would be disposed of.

The crematory, which would be odorless and smokeless, would not be open to the public and traffic would be limited, the letter states.

"This business will provide a much-needed service to local animal hospitals with little or no negative impact on the surrounding property owners," Anderson wrote in the letter. "As the nature of the business is sensitive, it is my goal to conduct daily operations in a such a way that the surrounding businesses and community would forget the crematory is there."

Anderson said Friday he would like to get the crematory running by early spring and that he would be the only employee.

The zoning appeals board will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Washington County Administrative Building at 100 W. Washington St.

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