Burton residents are concerned about the location of the proposed crematorium

BURTON, Michigan (WNEM) - The proposed site for a crematorium in Burton would be adjacent to an elementary school, and some residents are concerned about the possible impacts.

The crematorium will be located on an industrial site, but next to it is West Bendle Elementary School and a few yards up the road is a residential neighborhood. Some residents are concerned about the possible odor as well as the release of vapors into the air near where children learn and play.

The Planning Commission approved a special use permit for the business, but for now, residents may not worry.

TV5 reporter La'Nita Brooks spoke with the building's owner on Wednesday, Feb. 7, and he said he has several other crematoriums around the state. He said many more steps need to be taken before a crematory can be built in Burton, including a review by Consumers Energy.

According to the building's owner, the work is at least six to eight months away and has only been approved by the city at this point.

Jacqueline Belcher, a Burton resident who lives across the street from the site, said she is opposed.

"It's definitely alarming considering this is an elementary school here, students in grades three through five. Not only that, but the toxins that are put into the air. I like to open my windows and breathe in fresh air, so I wouldn't want anything to smell in here. And for the residents of the neighborhood and the children who live here, I think it's a bad idea," she said. "I'm going to look into it and hopefully we have a voice as residents who pay taxes here and we can vote against it."

If the plans go ahead, it will be the first crematorium in the area and will provide jobs.