Meeting on Proposed Crematory in Millersville

Maryland Crematory LLC of Millersville has filed a permit to construct a crematory at 408 Headquarters Drive, Suite 10, in Millersville. The permit was filed with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

According to the MDE website, an "informational" meeting on the application is planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday (May 17) at the 161 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park. The meeting was previously scheduled to be held at Fire headquarters in Millersville, however, a large crowd is expected. 

According to Jay Apperson, spokesman for MDE, the agenda will require the applicant, Maryland Crematory LLC, to present their proposed project and answer any questions posed by the public. Crematories are regulated by the MDE due to the nature of the possible toxins emitted during the cremation process.

"The MDE has not yet undertaken any technical review of this application," said Apperson. Once the MDE reaches a tentative agreement, the application would then be brought to a public hearing, he said.

The proposed location in Millersville, just off of Veterans Highway, is zoned C-4 commercial, according to the application and the document states there are no residential areas adjacent to the proposed site, which is considered an industrial park.

The closest community to the proposed location of the crematory is Shipley's Choice, a residential neighborhood of about 800 homes, located off of Benfield Road and East West Boulevard. Though Shipley's is not adjacent to the proposed crematory, it is in close proximity, located behind the industrial park.

Shipley's Choice Elementary School, located on Governor Stone Parkway is also located in the community, which is part of the Severna Park middle and high school feeder system.

"I think everyone in the Shipley’s community is concerned about how close the crematory will be to homes along the parameter of Shipley’s Choice,"  Kathy Michels, a member of the Shipley's homeowners board, wrote in an e-mail.  "Their principal concerns are health-related and the potential harmful contaminated toxic odors and  unhealthy particles spewing into the air, and continuing smoke released from the crematory."

 "There are other locations in the area not aligned with homes where it could be located away from home areas and that’s one issue we want to discuss at the meeting," she said. "Another issue of concern is how they got a zoning permit without any public announcement."

The application is available for review at both at MDE headquarters at 1800 Washington Blvd. in Baltimore and at the North County Area Branch Library, 1010 Eastway in Glen Burnie.

According to Apperson, MDE's permit records show that the following facilities do human cremations:

• Atlantic Crematory 7221 Grayburn Drive, Suite G, Glen Burnie. 
• Anatomy Gifts Registry, 7522 Connelley Drive, Suite NP, Hanover. 
• George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. 
• Donaldson Funeral Home, 1411 Annapolis Road in Odenton, does both human and animal cremation.

The South Arundel Veterinary Hospital at 85 Central Ave., West Edgewater, does animal cremations.

In an e-mail to Patch, Apperson explained the possible health hazards associated with operating a crematory. The culprit is the element mercury, considered a toxic air pollutant  by the MDE and found in amalgam, used primarily for dental fillings —the primary source of mercury emissions from cremation.

"Before a permit to construct or operate a crematory will be issued by MDE, the health impact of the mercury emissions on the public must be shown to be below a dangerous level," stated the e-mail.

"MDE requires all crematories use the best available control technologies to reduce air toxic emissions. This includes secondary combustion chambers, minimum retention times, operating temperature ranges, operational recording devices, charging rates, material restrictions, and other technologies as they come onto the market."

According to the application, Maryland Crematory LLC uses a Classic Human Crematory designed with a secondary chamber.

"MDE routinely inspects crematories throughout the state. These inspections are to ensure the equipment is in good working order, being operated correctly, and in full compliance with the air quality permit," Apperson said.

*Editor's Note: This article has been changed to reflect the new location of the meeting which is at 7 p.m. at the Earleigh Heights Fire Hall, 161 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park.