Planning board recommends allowing stand‑alone crematoriums in industrial zones

The New Hanover County Planning Board voted June 4 to recommend that the County Commissioners consider a text amendment to add a defined 'crematorium' use to the Unified Development Ordinance and allow stand‑alone crematoriums as a by‑right use in I1 (light industrial) and I2 (heavy industrial) zoning districts.

In a staff presentation, Mr. Dickerson (planning staff) said the amendment would add a definition consistent with North Carolina General Statutes NCGS92.10, establish parking requirements and include a use‑specific standard to prevent funeral services from operating as an accessory use to stand‑alone crematoriums. "This is an applicant‑led text amendment to amend the table of permitted uses to allow crematoriums as a by‑right use in the I1 and I2 districts," Mr. Dickerson told the board and noted staff recommended defining the use and adding parking standards (2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of office space and two transportation vehicle spaces).

John Best, representing RS2 Enterprises LLC and speaking on behalf of owner Ray Sharpe, told the board his pet‑cremation business has operated in the Dutch Square Industrial Park for about 10 years and that the current facility is roughly 1,300 square feet. "We only provide cremation services," Best said. He described using a climate‑controlled 10x30 storage unit for urns and supplies and said the business has not had complaints about odors or regulatory violations. Best said a new stand‑alone facility would provide more privacy for customers and space for proper operations.

Board members asked clarifying questions about what counted as a "transportation vehicle" and the permitting process if the text amendment is approved. Staff clarified that the two transportation vehicle spaces would accommodate the business's trucks (analogous to box trucks or hearses) and that, if the text amendment moves forward, the applicant would still need TRC/site plan review and building permits before construction.

After closing the public hearing and a short deliberation, a member moved to recommend approval of staff's recommended amendment—defining crematoriums, permitting the use in I1 and I2 districts, and adopting the suggested parking and use standards. The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous voice vote. The Planning Board's recommendation will be heard by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners at their July 13, 2026 meeting at approximately 4:00 p.m. at the New Hanover County Historic Courthouse.

The hearing record indicates staff considered comparable ordinances in other jurisdictions and recommended a use standard specifically to prevent funeral services from being accessory to stand‑alone crematoriums to limit additional traffic impacts. No members declared a conflict of interest. No members of the public registered opposition at the meeting.