The debate over a proposed crematorium in Porter Creek continued at a meeting of city council's standing committee on Tuesday evening.

The meeting discussed the report from last week's public hearing, which focused on the crematorium and funeral home.

Chris Thompson, owner of the Heritage North Funeral Home, has proposed building a crematorium near Willow Printers on Centennial Street.

Thompson is seeking a zoning amendment because the commercial zoning for the area allows for a funeral home but not a crematorium, which is restricted to the Alaska Highway.

Tuesday's meeting revisited all the issues raised at last week's public hearing, and focused upon the environmental concerns which have been brought forward.

Several residents have voiced concerns about the impact of the proposed crematorium on human and environmental health. A crematorium has the potential to emit several types of air pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide and mercury.

The Department of Environment has conducted a review of the air emissions, special waste and solid waste regulations under the Environment Act, and has concluded that operating a crematorium does not require a permit.

Bryce Larke, the Yukon's medical health officer, has said he does not believe a crematorium would pose a public health risk.

On Tuesday evening, city councillor Doug Graham said he has visited several crematoria since the debate started in May, including those in Calgary and in Kelowna, Dawson Creek, and Fort St. John, all in B.C.

'This is something I've followed very closely, and I've toured a number of crematoriums,' Graham said.

'I don't think, in my own mind, I have any difficulty with this one being here, but the concern that's been brought up a number of times is the emissions from the crematorium itself.'

Graham suggested any further discussion on the crematorium topic should be delayed until a meeting on July 16, so a third party can be brought in to conduct a study on the type of emissions that can be expected.

'I don't think that the issue of emissions will go away unless we hire some independent body to provide us with information,' Graham said.

'I think that it's very important that once we have that information, we're on firmer ground to go ahead at that point.'

His suggestion was supported by other members of council, although Coun. Jan Stick said she did not want the process to be dragged out much longer than an additional couple of weeks.

'I agree there is a lot of information out there, and it becomes confusing,' Stick said. 'But I do want a short timeline so this can be resolved.'

Coun. Dave Stockdale added that if the crematorium is eventually built, he would like testing to be done on the emissions by an independent party on a semi-regular basis.

Ann Dibbs, who lives near the proposed location, said she sincerely hopes the crematorium is not built.

'I haven't been able to sleep at night. I've been worried sick about it,' Dibbs said. 'Not because I'm scared of dead people; I worked in a seniors' home for almost 30 years, so that's not a problem. It's because of my bronchitis.'

Dibbs is worried the smoke and fumes given off by the crematorium would aggravate her bronchitis.

While some Porter Creek residents present at the meeting were pleased that a study will be done, several still felt the process to this point has not been fair.

The administrative report states that 20 letters were sent out to property owners within 100 metres of the subject property. Residents feel everyone within 200 metres of the property should have been notified since they would be directly affected.

Mike Gau, the city's planning manager, said the 20 letters sent out might have been all that was required because it is a low-density area. He added city staff will look into the matter.

'It is a very low-density area, but we had 130 people sign that petition,' said John Horvath, referring to a petition against the crematorium. 'That's pretty substantial considering how big the lots are. It's a large number of people.'

Horvath and fellow Porter Creek resident Gustav Gabor both feel that council has not properly considered the concerns of those opposed to the development plan.

'It is us who are being affected, not people who are in Copper Ridge,' Gabor said. 'If this was in Copper Ridge, I guarantee you there would not be 130 people on this petition, there'd be way more than that.'

When Gabor addressed council, he was stopped a number of times by Graham, who said Gabor was unfairly attributing words to himself, other council members and Thompson.

'If you people don't want to hear what I have to say, that's fine,' Gabor said. 'But there are ulterior motives here; there's no question.'

Horvath reiterated Gabor's worries, and stated council is being sympathetic toward those who support the crematorium.

'Anyone who got up there to speak at the public hearing and supported the crematorium had a vested interest, was a partner or admitted to being close friends with the owner for quite some time,' Horvath said.

Council hopes to have an independent study conducted on possible emissions over the next two weeks. The topic will be next discussed at a meeting of the standing committee on July 16.

See letter, p. 8.