A PLANNED expansion of a funeral home has left a neighborhood in chaos as residents say town officials haven't protected their interests.
The McDonald Keohane Funeral Home in Weymouth, Massachusetts will receive a 5,500-square-foot addition, however, neighbors are calling the project "inappropriate."
The expansion will nearly double the size of the funeral home, however, several residents have questioned how the zoning board approved the project.
Two board members previously voted against the project, however, they later changed their minds despite the specifications of the expansion remaining the same.
"They changed nothing," Shira Levine, a resident, told The Patriot Ledger.
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"This project is completely inappropriate...How did five people vote that this project will not be detrimental to this quiet neighborhood? It's impossible."
After the first vote ended in a 3-2 decision, however, four votes were needed for approval.
The funeral home appealed the decision to the state Land Court and a second vote was held.
A joint motion was filed by the funeral home and the town for another zoning board hearing.
After a third hearing, the zoning board voted unanimously in favor of granting the funeral home a special permit for the project.
The addition will include a hall with a 200-person seating capacity to be used for funerals or celebrations of life.
The plan will also add 16 exterior parking spaces, with 11 of them in a residential zone, and four garage spaces.
How did five people vote that this project will not be detrimental to this quiet neighborhood? It's impossible
Shira Levine
An ordinance was adopted by the town council that prohibits funeral homes from expanding into neighborhoods, however, McDonald Keohane had the plans filed before the town council made the change.
Levine says a large event space behind the existing building and next to nearby homes will lead to a "massive" amount of cars and people coming in and out, which will be detrimental to the neighborhood.
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"We are frustrated because we feel Keohane could have built the addition in front but didn't want to ruin the pretty landscaping, but that's not fair," she said.
"They could do this project without ruining our neighborhood."
Mayor Robert Hedlund and Solicitor Richard McLeod told residents they felt they were doing what was best for the neighborhood, said Levine.
However, she said town officials did everything residents were against, including having the main entrance to the funeral home on the south side of the building with a garage and parking spaces near neighboring homes.
Jeffery Tocchio, the attorney representing the funeral home, said the Keohane family weighed several different options and possible layouts for the expansion project.
He told the outlet that the approved plan solves "longstanding issues with existing operations and shift other uses on the site away from neighbors."
McLeod said the plans for the project initially called for a staircase to be added to the entrance of the funeral home.
"Both parties also agreed to conditions that will help monitor the operation of the funeral home," he said.
One of the conditions for the approval said, "The funeral home shall continue to use the front entry facing Main Street (Route 18) as a primary access for guests."
However, Levine said there were several discussions through the public hearing process where Tocchio said the south-side entrance would be the main entrance to the establishment.
Mayor Hedlund called the neighbors' concerns "valid" and said the funeral home has been operating at its current location for a long time and has rights.
"It was up to the board of zoning appeals to sort the issues out. Obviously, people aren't happy with their decision but that's how the process worked out," said Hedlund.
"I won't get into second-guessing the BZA on this. They are much more involved in the elements of the proposal and the process."
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home for comment.
