Residents oppose proposed crematory at 521 Market Street; council removes rezoning from tonight’s agenda

Several residents urged the Fayetteville City Council not to rezone 521 Market Street to allow a crematory, saying the facility would harm air quality, create a persistent odor and reduce nearby property values.

Jensen Knott, who said she has lived on West Market Street for more than 30 years, said she was not informed in advance and “I am opposed to the location and feel that this facility should not be placed in…our community.” She asked the council to site such facilities on the outskirts rather than in established neighborhoods.

Another resident, Gary (identified in the record as Greg McGardo), told councilors his home would be “exactly 30 steps” from the proposed building and warned of health risks and property-value impacts. He cited studies and advised that a crematory be located several miles from residential areas.

Darlene Holloway and Andrew Pope also spoke in opposition; Holloway said she did not want to “smell nobody’s body” at her front door, and Pope raised additional concerns about emissions, including residues from medications and metals from dental work.

After the public hearing, council members voted to remove the rezoning request (Ordinance 2025-27) for 521 Market Street from tonight’s agenda so that staff and aldermen could gather more information. Mayor and council did not take a final rezoning vote at this meeting.

What’s next: The council removed the item from the agenda and did not act on the rezoning tonight; residents and the council may expect further staff follow-up or a future agenda item if proponents re-file the request.