Convinced the furnaces will not emit hair or smell, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission on Wednesday gave its unanimous approval for a zoning amendment that would allow a pet cremation service to set up shop in an historic home surrounded by businesses, eateries and a college campus.
The applicant, Rival Investments, still must get a green light from the City Council plus a conditional-use permit, likely next year.
"We've gone out of our way to make sure there are no smells," explained Jake Tate, whose father Earl owns the 115-year-old cottage at 1727 S. Major St. (35 East).
To be sure, the commission elected to add "no visible emissions or odors" as part of its positive recommendation to the council.
The move did not please Robert Holman -- he circulated a petition signed by neighbors opposed to the crematorium -- whose daughter Joni Sorensen runs the popular Joni's Deli directly north of the old cottage.
"It will have a definite impact on their businesses," he said, referring to the merchants opposed. "It's more of a friendly area where they have cafes and coffee shops."
During the sparsely attended public hearing, an "animal lover" submitted a brief statement that said the pet cremation service is needed and a "no brainer."
The owners insisted they distributed information packets across the neighborhood to help ease concerns about the crematorium. The only emissions, they note, are water vapor and carbon dioxide. Indeed, commission Chairwoman Babs De Lay noted the angst is more about perception since pervasive pet odor is "technologically impossible."
"It's available in many communities around the country," owner Earl Tate said. "We would like Salt Lake to have it available."
