Challenge
A real estate developer and long-time local housing provider faced an unexpected threat to one of its communities: a nearby funeral home applied to convert an adjacent single-family house into a funeral home and industrial crematorium, directly abutting family homes, apartments, schools and parks.
The proposal raised serious concerns about air quality, toxic emissions, noise, traffic, visual blight and the impact on property values, as well as questions about whether the plan even complied with existing zoning and land-use regulations.
Despite widespread resident opposition, the application was advancing toward a scheduled City Council decision, with the risk that—if approved—it would permanently alter the character and value of the surrounding neighborhood. The developer needed to defend its community, elevate residents’ voices, and ensure that decision-makers understood both the legal flaws and quality-of-life impacts of the crematorium plan.
Action
Red Banyan partnered with the developer to design and execute a strategic public affairs and PR campaign that combined legal arguments, grassroots advocacy and disciplined messaging.
- Framed the narrative and core arguments
We distilled complex zoning, land-use and environmental concerns into clear, compelling messages: the crematorium was inconsistent with the neighborhood’s residential character, belonged in an industrial setting, and posed unacceptable risks to nearby homes, schools and parks.
- Built and amplified a grassroots coalition
Working with local stakeholders, we helped support and promote a resident-led campaign (including a coalition website, yard signs and flyers) to raise awareness and drive outreach to elected officials.
The real estate developer played a visible role as a responsible community voice, publicly articulating the project’s negative impact on families and local quality of life.
- Drove media and public pressure
Red Banyan drafted and distributed a media-ready press release that explained the stakes, highlighted the zoning concerns, and provided credible spokespeople—including the developer and zoning counsel—to clearly articulate why the proposal violated city law and community expectations.
- Equipped the client for City Council engagement
We developed concise talking points and Q&A for City Council hearings and written submissions, aligning the developer’s messaging with that of residents and legal experts.
Our materials emphasized that cremation is a “final disposition” not permitted under the existing funeral home use and that the application conflicted with both zoning intent and common sense for a residential neighborhood.
Throughout the campaign, Red Banyan acted as the strategic hub—ensuring consistent messaging across earned media, community outreach, and direct engagement with city officials.
Impact
The coordinated campaign achieved its goal: the crematorium project was ultimately stopped, and construction did not move forward.
- City officials were presented with a clear, well-documented case that the proposal violated zoning laws and was incompatible with the surrounding residential community.
- Residents were informed, mobilized, and empowered to engage their elected leaders, transforming private frustration into organized, visible opposition.
- The developer strengthened its reputation as a protector of neighborhood quality of life, standing alongside residents rather than remaining on the sidelines.
By combining legal messaging, grassroots organization, and media strategy, Red Banyan helped ensure that an inappropriate industrial use was kept out of a family-oriented residential community—protecting both property values and public trust in the process.