SAN LORENZO — Grissom's Chapel and Mortuary plans to build a crematory at its facility at 267 E. Lewelling Blvd., but some local residents aren't happy with the idea.

Plans for the multiple-chamber crematory, which would accommodate as many as 500 cremations a year, have been approved by the Alameda County Planning Commission and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

One of the mortuary's owners, Lisa Wyrabkiewicz, said Grissom's has been doing preliminary work for the crematory for the last 16 months.

"Our permit is already issued," she said. "It's a done deal."

Wyrabkiewicz would not say when the crematory would be up and running.

"We have not heard anything negative from the community," she said.

However, San Lorenzo resident Kathy Bossley said she opposes the crematory and has been canvassing the town, encouraging residents to attend a meeting next week at which the crematory will be discussed .

"I don't want a crematorium in a densely populated area," Bossley said. "I don't think it's in the best interest of the community. I believe they should be out in an industrial area."

Two other area residents have called Bay Area News Group to voice opposition to the project.

Grissom's has been in operation in San Lorenzo since 1957, according to the mortuary's Web site. It originally was on Hesperian Boulevard, then moved to East Lewelling Boulevard in 1969. In 1990, owner Jean Grissom sold

The facility is between an apartment building and a liquor store, and across the street from St. John's Catholic Church. Behind it is the San Lorenzo Creek, and on the other side of the creek is a condominium complex. Single-family homes are located diagonally across Lewelling, on Meekland Avenue.

Also nearby are the St. John's Catholic School, Colonial Acres Elementary School and San Lorenzo High School.

Last June, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District sent out about 3,500 public notices about the proposed crematory to the parents of students at the three schools, as well as to residents and businesses within 1,000 feet of the property.

Sixteen people responded, disapproving of the project, worried mainly about a potential for odor and pollution.

Officials downplayed those concerns.

"Typically, there is no smell," said Nancy Yee, a senior air quality engineer for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. "Cremators now are very well built. But if it malfunctions, there could be a smell. Cremators want to be good neighbors, so they will operate it in the cleanest possible way."

Yee will answer questions from the public during the county's unincorporated services meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association, 377 Paseo Grande.

Wyrabkiewicz said anyone who has concerns about the crematory may call the mortuary at 510-278-2800.

Jason Sweeney covers San Lorenzo. Reach him at 510-293-2469.