Decision on proposed Schaumburg Twp. pet cemetery delayed
Cook County officials said the developer of a proposed pet cemetery near Schaumburg didn't come prepared for a public hearing to address neighbors' concerns Monday.
The county's Zoning Board of Appeals agreed to schedule another hearing to give developer Guy Sorrentino of Oak Brook another chance to better explain his plan for a resting place for birds, cats and dogs along Wise Road in unincorporated Cook County.
The hearing's date has yet to be set but will likely again take place at the Schaumburg Township Library District. Of the nearly 50 who attended Monday, only Sorrentino's son and another woman raised their hands when who supported the project.
State Rep. Paul Froehlich of Schaumburg, officials representing the village of Schaumburg and Schaumburg Township Supervisor Mary Wroblewski all opposed the plan.
Resident Len Flaxman said neighbors have "circled the wagons" against the project.
"I worry about what my property is going to be worth when all this is said and done," said Flaxman.
Sorrentino said he's just animal lover who sees a need for the cemetery. He needs a special-use permit to build the cemetery, which he's dubbed Pet Dreams. It would take up the entire 5.7-acre lot.
The six-member zoning board's role is to give a recommendation to the Cook County Board, which would have final say. The recommendation usually is made within 30 days of a public hearing.
Zoning Board Chairman Alex Sieth opposed another meeting with Sorrentino, saying he wasted the board's and audience's time by failing to bring any witnesses. Sieth wanted to hear from experts, such as a property appraiser who could talk about the cemetery's possible effect on property values or an engineer who could speak about flooding issues that worry residents.
Sorrentino only brought his co-developer, Alan Scimeca.
Sorrentino said he'd address the concerns at the future meeting. He said he's owned the parcel for five years, adding he'd devote himself full-time to running the cemetery. The plans call for red and green pathways, flat stone markers for the animals' graves and four parking spaces. Scimeca said the plans would not disturb the lay of the land.
"We would certainly comply with every regulatory body request," Scimeca said, adding animals would be placed in vacuum-sealed bags in their caskets to address water contamination concerns.
In addition to the site's history of flooding, residents expressed worries about how well Sorrentino would maintain the site and what would happen if the cemetery goes bankrupt.
Neighbors said a September flood caused the water level to rise to 10 feet. Area resident Peter Mitchell brought in photos of the flooded site from that date.
State law requires the graves to be at least 2 feet underground, though Sorrentino said his crews would bury them deeper if his engineers made that suggestion.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=266951">Pet cemetery planned near Schaumburg <span class="date">[01/25/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>