Inappropriate location

I write this letter as a property owner who lives near the proposed crematorium in Chalan Kanoa. While people often quote the phrase “location, location, location” as the mantra for real estate investment, here this phrase describes the major problem with this proposed crematorium—its location is totally inappropriate and should not be approved!

For those of you who are unaware, the current issue is a proposal to build the island’s first crematorium in the building previously used by Carmen’s Baby News on Beach Road. This is smack in between where the Bank of Saipan building is and where’s Triple J’s “K-Mart” store operated—across from the Aquarius Hotel. The proposal is to allow the conversion of the existing building into a funeral home and crematorium. However, there are major problems with this proposal, (1) health concerns, and (2) impact on adjoining uses.

The health issues concern the discharge of odor, smoke, heavy metals, and chemicals that are natural byproducts of the cremation process. But, please, don’t take my word for it. Do your own research and hear what residents who live near crematoriums across the country are complaining about. Better yet, find out more from the experts. Here’s one of many sites you can start with: https://no2crematory.wordpress.com/the-toxic-truth-data/.

The proposed site for this activity is right in the middle of a densely populated area of Chalan Kanoa and these emissions will directly affect the immediately adjacent sites of Sister Remedios School, Mount Carmel School, and the adjacent homes where people live a few feet away. That’s right—we’re literally talking about just a few feet away. It is a well-established fact that crematoriums produce offensive and harmful discharges including toxic mercury from the burning of human teeth. How would you like to have your residence next to this activity and emission source? Knowing what we do about crematorium discharges, how can we even consider this proposal at this site?

As to the issues of impact of impact of adjoining uses, Chalan Kanoa is in the midst of a significant revitalization that includes construction of a new Best Western Hotel, the construction of Sandy Beach Homes, a new beach restaurant across the proposed site, the new Tasi Homes at the Sugar Dock area, and others. These projects have invested millions of dollars into the neighborhood and are certain to be the foundation for the uplifting of the entire neighborhood. So do we want to stymie these positive developments by placing a facility that calls for the burning of bodies into the middle of a tourist district with restaurants, schools, hotels, and adjoining residences? We have been waiting for revitalization of Chalan Kanoa for 30 plus years. Now that we are moving forward, let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot.

Facts, again from the experts, not me-have shown that the health and offensive natures of crematoriums can be alleviated by locating them away from residential districts. By isolating this use allows for dissipation of emissions and odors and thus a direct reduction in health concerns and the complaints regarding odor, fumes and noises are eliminated. In light of these facts, the real estate mantra of “location, location, location” rings true in this case as it calls for establishment of this business away from residences and in more industrial setting.

Let me be clear, I and many others in the greater  community support the establishment of a crematorium on Saipan and we hold the Borja family in high regard for their long history of commitment to local business development. For many years they have provided excellent funeral services to hundreds of families, and we appreciate them greatly for this. But our opposition to the family’s latest venture is not about any of this. I implore the Borja family, the many loyal supporters they have rallied, and the members of the Zoning Board to listen to the real objections especially of those living and working near the proposed site-me and my family included, to the business owners and their employees, and to the students of Mount Carmel and Sister Remedios and their parents about the proposed location for the crematorium. Hear also what the experts have to say about operating crematoriums in residential neighborhoods. Let’s work together on this issue and select a more appropriate location.

Ray M. Bermudes
Chalan Kanoa