More than 200 people packed City Hall Monday night to complain about the business, which is located on property zoned for office and professional use. That property backs up to several homes.

Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer says the city is powerless to stop owner Chris Nuzum from operating the crematory because he has filed all the legal paperwork to conduct business at that location.

Snellville City Councilman Tod Warner, the city's former zoning commission chairman, took the the blame for the controversy. He says a city attorney warned him about the loophole. but he "didn't expect one (a crematory) to pop up."

Nuzum, who also operares Cremation Society of the South locations in Marietta and Stockbridge, says he's willing to build a fence, enhance the landscaping around his property and take other steps to appease his neighbors. He plans to begin accepting clients next month.

15 July 2008

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