Planned crematorium in Garden Grove has neighbors fired up

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) -- Funeral home owner Tuan Nguyen wants to move his business into a now-vacant building in Garden Grove and add a crematorium next door.

Local residents, however, aren't on board with the plan. They are signing petitions to the city, citing concerns about health and property value.

Nguyen, who owns Heaven's Gate funeral home, wants to provide low-cost services to those who have lost loved ones.

"So they can take care of their mom and dad and their loved ones without stretching out financially," Nguyen said.

The nearly 22,000 square-foot building is located near the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Orange.

Residents in these communities are protesting to keep the crematorium from coming into their neighborhoods.

"It's like getting punched in the stomach. My wife and I lost a lot of sleep. We're worried for our children's health," Santa Ana resident Khai Nguyen said.

Tuan Nguyen is submitting a petition of his own.

"I went in with the city manager, engineer, crematory people, air pollution people that work on this project," he said. "Everything is by the book."

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is reviewing permits for the crematorium, but first will have to look for potential cancer risks from emissions.

Whichever side loses will have 21 days to appeal the decision.