WORLAND — The Worland Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission will once again take up the issue of a proposed crematory in a dispute that has lasted well over a year.
During the board’s regularly scheduled Monday meeting, members agreed to hold an appeal hearing for the crematorium located at Veile Mortuary on 301 South Eighth Street in Worland.
The hearing is set for 3 p.m. Oct. 26.
Veile Mortuary owner Clayton Draggoo approached the Worland City Council last February 2021 regarding the facility. The council sent him to the BAPC and the BAPC voted to not grant a special exemption for the crematory.
He has since installed a crematory without the blessing of the city or BAPC.
The City of Worland issued Draggoo seven citations in July 2021.
Though he has installed the crematorium, it is sitting unused as natural gas cannot be connected to the facility without a building permit.
Among the concerns during the initial hearing last year were neighbors who told BAPC members they were concerned about emissions, particularly mercury.
SUBDIVISION
REQUEST REMAINS TABLED
BAPC members tabled a request to subdivide property in the 2100 block of Big Horn Avenue. The property owner, Jon Haynes, brought the proposal during BAPC’s August meeting.
The land currently has a house and three trailers on it. City ordinance dictates that in order for the property to be subdivided, each building must tap into the city’s sewer lines.
“That makes the house non-conforming in that zone,” Worland Building Official Randy Adams said during the August meeting.
As of the August meeting, board members were considering whether Haynes can reach a deal with the city. For example, the BAPC was considering if Haynes could subdivide the land contingent on installing its own separate sewer.