DuPage committee recommends conditional use for funeral home with cremation services near Route 83

The DuPage County Development Committee on Jan. 21 recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a funeral home with cremation and crematorium services on a roughly 4.5-acre property east of Route 83.

The committee’s recommendation, made under agenda item 7b, follows competing testimony from nearby municipalities and school districts that oppose the proposed use and from proponents saying the facility would meet an unmet need for the Hindu community and would be open to all faiths.

Bensenville officials said the site is currently zoned residential and is identified in the Route 83 corridor plan as appropriate for single-family housing. Curtis (director of community and economic development, Village of Bensenville) said neighboring taxing bodies including Fenton School District 100 and a District 2 elementary district filed formal opposition and that the parcel is “much too small” for what opponents described as an intense use. He told the committee the site abuts an elementary school and lies near a high school and that the proposal showed a second‑story viewing dome with a stated 200‑person capacity while providing about 140 parking spaces.

Kevin Quinn, village planner for Bensenville, said in public comment that planning documents at multiple levels designate the parcel for single‑family residential use and that the property lacks turn lanes or a traffic signal at the proposed entrance. He also said the parcel’s proximity to schools and a park district pool raised safety and congestion concerns.

Proponents urged approval. Dr. Gopal Lamalani, who identified himself as a practicing cardiologist and a member of the Hindu faith, told the committee the proposal is a 501(c)(3) Hindu‑based facility that would perform religious rituals and serve Hindu families while being available to other faiths. He said R1 zoning allows funerals as a conditional use and argued the use is permitted by county zoning rules as presented.

Committee members and county staff addressed technical issues during deliberations. County planning staff (Jessica) said the zoning board of appeals had found the conditional‑use factors satisfied and that the site takes direct access to Route 83, a four‑lane arterial. Staff also said the submitted parking meets the county code standard (4 spaces per 1,000 square feet) for the proposed building area and that the petitioner testified most services would occur during evenings and weekends to limit conflict with school hours.

Health department and infrastructure issues were discussed. Staff noted the existing septic system dates to 1964 and was sized for 100 people; the petitioner indicated the system would be updated and that the health department would review any changes before permits issue. Staff and members also said the petitioner had proposed on‑site wetland mitigation to bring the property into compliance with county requirements.

After public comment and committee discussion, the committee took a roll‑call vote and recommended approval of the zoning hearing officer’s conditional‑use approval. The recommendation will be forwarded to the full DuPage County Board for final action.

Committee members recorded aye votes during the roll call; the committee’s recommendation does not itself change zoning but advises the county board.

The committee’s action does not resolve outstanding permitting steps. County staff said wetland mitigation, updated septic/well review, and any required building permits and inspections must be completed before construction or operation.

The petitioners and opponents are expected to appear again when the full county board considers the recommendation.