Planning Commission holds public hearing on modified cemetery plans

By Phillip Pesola–
Rising construction costs prompted Calvary Cemetery earlier this month to seek Planning Commission approval to modify part of its expansion plans, which are currently underway and visible to travelers passing through Citrus Heights on Interstate 80.

The Citrus Heights Planning Commission on Aug. 10 held another public hearing prior to approving permit modifications and an environmental exemption to allow the cemetery to relocate a new maintenance building to the southern end of the property. The proposed changes were passed unanimously, and no public comments were made during the hearing.

The large cemetery was originally established in 1953, with its 53-acre site accessible off Verner Avenue. In December 2019, the Planning Commission approved a project which involves the construction of a new administration building as well as a new maintenance facility, according to a Planning Division staff report.

The maintenance facility was planned to be constructed at the north end of the property, according to the original project plan. However, due to rising construction costs associated with the installation of utilities, the cemetery sought to change plans and construct it at the south end of the property, near the new admin building.

The maintenance facility will include the construction of a 6,000-plus square foot maintenance building and a 1,500-plus square foot garage, according to the report. The maintenance building will be used as office space for the grounds crew and for the upkeep of equipment used in the maintenance of the cemetery. Parking space for the hearse vehicles and flower vans will be provided by the garage.

The staff report found the use permit modification and the design review permit modification met the relevant city codes and guidelines. The report also found that the project was exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

A six-foot fence exists along the property line between the cemetery and an adjacent mobile home park. The fence will remain in place, but the project will plant trees along about 450 feet of the fence line to provide additional screening.

The staff report said efforts were made to reach nearby residents who might be impacted by the project. Relevant information was also provided to the area’s neighborhood association, as well as to property owners within 500 feet of the project site and mobile home residences closest to the shared property line.

The staff report indicated that no significant concerns were expressed by any community member. The cemetery’s construction project is expected to be completed later this year.