Developer Wants To Build Crematorium in Cherokee

A Milton resident wants to build a crematorium in eastern Cherokee County.

James Bartley Williams, president and owner of Pleasant Hollow Gardens LLC, would like for the county rezone .5 of 26 acres 10685 East Cherokee Drive from agriculture to office/institutional so he can build a crematorium. 

The entire property is currently utilized as a cemetery. 

The site is located along the stretch of road between State Route 20 and Water Tank Road.

"As the seventh largest (county) and fifth fastest in terms of growth, Cherokee County is without adequate cremation services to handle the needs of the county," Williams wrote in his application letter. 

The case is will be heard by the the Cherokee County Planning Commission on June 4 at 7 p.m. and will go to the Cherokee County Commission for final consideration on June 18 at 6 p.m. 

If approved, he hopes to open the crematorium sometime in August. 

Williams said he's met with residents to answer any questions they may have, and he noted he hopes his answers have addressed their concerns.

"There's always concerns when you're doing something new," he added.  

If William's request is granted, he would be the second crematorium to open in Cherokee County.

In 2012, the Woodstock City Council approved a conditional use permit from Lakeside Funeral Home to operate a crematorium in its facility on Claremore Drive. 

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