08-16-2010 Planning Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

a . ,� �J To: Chair Kang and Planning Commission Members From: Evelyn Turner, City Planner • Date: August 12 , 2010 Subject: • 10-3483 City of Orono—Zoning Text Amendment to Residential Zoning Districts - Inurnment and direct earth burial of cremated remains at Places of Worship - Public Hearing Application Sunzmary: This zoning code text amendment would address inurnment or burial of cremated remains at places of worship in residential zoning districts by: • Allowing indoor columbaria as an accessory use to a place of worship. � Allowing outdoor columbaria, ground niches, and direct earth burial with or without an urn that is accessory to a place of worship with a conditional use permit. Inurnment is the placement of an urn of cremated remains in a final resting place. Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends the Planning Commission make a recommendation to the City Council for approval. List of Exhibits A. State Statutes regarding cremated remains B. Materials from various sources regarding inurnment C. Materials from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Background Since 2004 St. Edward's Church and Trinity Lutheran Church have expressed a desire to add outdoor columbaria. Columbaria are above ground structures for the inurnment of cremated remains. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is proposing to provide direct earth burial for urns or ashes. There is no provision in the zoning code for inurnment or burial of ashes. In Minnesota the cremation of human remains is a form of final disposition of huxnan remains, the equivalent of burying a body in a cemetery. There are few regulations governing the disposition or treatment of cremated remains. A place solely for inurnment or burial of ashes is not considered a cemetery. If a place for inurnment,burial of ashes or scattering of ashes is abandoned the County is not required to assume its upkeep as a cemetery. Exhibit A is an excerpt from State Statutes governing the disposition of cremated remains. Exhibit B is information and photos from various websites concerning inurnment at places of worship. Exhibit C is materials from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church concerning their proposal.