Commission approves crematory and small mortuary use at historic Nampa building despite economic‑development concerns

The Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 11 approved a conditional use permit allowing All Valley Cremation to purchase, renovate and operate a funeral‑service office and on‑site crematory at 102 and 106 11th Avenue North, a historic commercial building adjacent to the railroad tracks.

Applicant Jim Schmayer said All Valley Cremation has served more than 4,000 families across the Treasure Valley and plans to invest substantial funds to restore what he identified as an 1898 blacksmith building. Schmayer said the proposed cremation equipment is advanced and engineered to control emissions, odor and noise; he told the commission crematories are not considered polluters by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and that modern systems produce no visible emissions and minimal audible noise.

Planning staff presented options and noted this request raised both code and broader planning considerations. Staff found the business is a permitted land use in the BC zone but highlighted a late comment from the city’s economic development director suggesting the site is a gateway into downtown and that locating a crematory there could limit future opportunities for higher‑value redevelopment and conflict with RAISE grant-funded North Nampa design work.

The planning director summarized building, engineering and design-review requirements; the applicant said the facility would not host large funeral gatherings (the space was described as sized for small witness cremations and arrangement meetings) and that most cremation activity will be limited and quiet. During public testimony the property listing agent and the economic development director spoke: the agent emphasized the building’s long‑standing vacancy and the significant investment the purchaser proposes; the economic development director said the parcel occupies a critical entrance to downtown and could be better used for uses that spur broader redevelopment and active‑transportation connectivity.

Commissioners weighed competing priorities: preserving and restoring a unique historic building by an investor that pledged more than $1 million against economic‑development planning that seeks to shape North Nampa’s long‑term gateway to downtown. After extended discussion the commission approved the conditional use permit with the staff‑recommended conditions but noted the economic‑development concerns in the record. The approval will be effective 15 calendar days after the written decision is provided to the applicant if no appeal is filed.

The permit requires the applicant to obtain necessary Idaho Transportation Department access approvals, complete design review for exterior alterations, meet building‑ and fire‑code requirements at permit stage and comply with any DEQ/IDA regulatory requirements for crematory operation. Staff told commissioners that parking and assembly‑space calculations will be verified with building permit submittal.