St. Paul Cemetery Plans Concern Neighbors

After 50 years of serving the community without a cemetery, St. Paul Catholic Church wants one of its own.

Neighbors who live near the 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway church, however, aren’t too happy with the idea, according to media reports.

The church wants to use a 5-acre parcel on the west end of its property for the cemetery that would only serve congregation members, according to The Tampa Tribune. For that to happen, the church’s request for a rezoning and conditional use has to make it past the Hillsborough County Commission during its June 24 meeting, Channel 10 reported.

Neighbors say they fear a rise in traffic and they aren’t too keen on living next to a cemetery.

"I'm heartbroken. I'm heartbroken that I have to be put into a position to have to be angry at the church for making a decision like that," resident Ann Blank was quoted by Channel 10 as saying.

Frank Murphy, the director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, did not return a phone call from Patch.

Commissioners will take up the rezoning request at 6 p.m. June 24.

Do you think St. Paul should be allowed to create a cemetery on its property? Tell us what you think by commenting below!

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