Dispute Between Residents and Company Over Installation of Pet Crematorium in Cheonan

Residents "Trick through Use Change"...Company "Never Hid Plans for Funeral Facility from the Start"
Cheonan City "Will Decide on Urban Development Review Committee Approval"

In Seongnam-myeon, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, where the installation of a pet crematorium is being promoted, local residents and the company pushing the project are engaged in a dispute over the truth.

Residents claim that the company initially obtained their consent by promising to build a dog cafe but is now using a trick to change the purpose to a pet crematorium, thereby suppressing residents' opposition.

On the other hand, the company insists that from the beginning of the project, they explained to residents that the construction was for a pet complex leisure town including a crematorium.

The project began in 2021 when Company A promoted the construction of a pet complex leisure town in the Yongwon-ri area of Seongnam-myeon. The company purchased the site and negotiated with landowners for land use approval to build an access road, stating they would develop a complex business for dog owners including a dog cafe, playground, crematorium, and funeral facilities.

Residents stated that during this process, the company did not explain about the crematorium or funeral facilities and only mentioned building a dog cafe. Therefore, residents actively welcomed the project, expecting an influx of tourists, and land use negotiations for the access road were conducted with the landowners.

However, during the process of obtaining building permits from the city, an animal funeral facility was added, and upon learning this, residents began to strongly oppose the project.

At that time, Cheonan City held an urban planning review committee and issued a 'supplementary' measure requiring residents' consent, and the company obtained permission as a type 2 neighborhood facility excluding the animal funeral business.

Although the conflict between residents and the company seemed to have settled, recently Company A submitted a change of use application for the building classified as a type 2 neighborhood facility to the city, reigniting conflicts with residents.

Residents strongly oppose this, saying, "Company A used the trick of obtaining permission as a type 2 neighborhood facility when opposition was strong, and after public opinion calmed down, they are now using 'change of use' as a loophole."

In response, Company A stated, "Residents are distorting the truth," and "We will proceed with the project according to laws and principles."

Company A claimed, "From the start of the project in 2021, we met with the village chief and residents of Yongwon-ri to explain and seek understanding of the project, and we did not hide the essence of the project, which included a complex leisure town with a crematorium and funeral business."

They further explained, "At the time of project promotion, opposition from residents was not significant, but during the permit process, opposition suddenly increased, raising concerns about prolonged construction and increased costs, so we first obtained permission by changing it to a type 2 neighborhood facility."

They also stated, "We held project briefing sessions to persuade residents, but some residents refused even to engage in dialogue, and due to malicious opposition, the project has not proceeded normally for several years, causing considerable losses."

A Cheonan City official said, "It is true that Company A's recent change of use application has been received and that collective complaints from residents have been raised," adding, "An urban development review committee will be held to decide whether to approve the matter."