Committee unanimously recommends allowing alkaline hydrolysis at funeral homes; amendment added to include pets

The Planning, Housing and Parks Committee unanimously recommended Zoning Text Amendment 25‑09 to permit alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation, also called aquamation) as an accessory use at funeral homes. The committee vote (3‑0) sends a committee recommendation to full Council.

Committee members and staff described the change as a narrow land‑use allowance: the ZTA adds definitions for “alkaline hydrolysis” and “crematory,” allows alkaline hydrolysis as an option for crematory operations, and permits it as an accessory use to funeral homes so standalone water‑cremation facilities would not be created by the zoning change. Planning staff said licensing and performance standards would be set by state regulators under the Green Death Care Options Act and that internal building permits (plumbing, electrical) would be handled by the Department of Permitting Services…