Beltsville funeral home seeks special exception to add crematory; neighbors cite emissions and property‑value concerns

Donald V. Borgward Funeral Home asked the Prince George’s County Zoning Hearing Examiner, Maureen McNeal, on Oct. 8 for Special Exception 4848 to add a 1,664‑square‑foot crematory to its existing 8,101‑square‑foot facility at 4400 Powder Mill Road in Beltsville.

The issue matters to neighbors because the crematory would burn human remains on site and is subject to Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) air‑quality permitting; opponents raised concerns about emissions (including mercury), odors and potential effects on nearby home values. The applicant and several expert witnesses said the proposal complies with county zoning rules and that state permitting will set emissions controls and stack height.

Donald Vernon Borgward, the funeral home’s owner and the applicant, testified to long experience operating the business and said the firm presently uses third‑party crematories in Virginia and elsewhere. Borgward told the examiner he would follow all required state permits and licensing before operating a crematory on the site, and agreed to carry forward prior special‑exception conditions, including the existing restriction on funeral services after 4 p.m. on weekdays and a requirement that processions form on the property. “I do it exactly the way you’re supposed to,”…