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City Council Report
City of
Santa Monica`
City Council Meeting: November 10, 2009
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Lee E. Swain, Director of Public Works
Subject: Set Public Hearing Date for Vacating Excess Public Right-of-Way Within
Woodlawn Cemetery
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution declaring its
intention to order vacation of portions of public right-of-way and to set a public hearing
on December 8, 2009, to hear comments regarding the proposed vacation of certain
streets within the Woodlawn Cemetery grounds.
Executive Summary
The Woodlawn Cemetery (Cemetery) is nearing capacity. Over the last year, staff has
examined various options to increase the capacity of the Cemetery and Mausoleum and
to achieve financial sustainability in the near future. Vacating portions of non-essential
roadway within the Cemetery is necessary for the development of additional interment
grounds associated with the implementation of the Cemetery Business Plan.
Background
On April 28, 2009, staff presented along-Term Business Plan for Woodlawn Cemetery
that identified amulti-phased plan to increase the capacity of the Cemetery and achieve
financial sustainability. The Cemetery Business Plan proposed the development of
additional interment grounds that will provide approximately 2,123 casket spaces
(ground burial and crypts) and generate substantial revenue enabling the Cemetery to
continue to provide the community with diverse interment options.. Vacation of various
street segments is necessary for the development of additional interment grounds
associated with the implementation of the Cemetery Business Plan.
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Discussion
Over the years, Council has vacated various streets within the Cemetery. The streets
currently recommended for vacation are within the gated grounds of the Cemetery and
do not operate as public streets. Other than aCity-owned communication line, there are
no existing privately owned utilities that underlie these streets. The City's
communication line will be relocated out of the street vacation area. To maximize the
flexibility of the use of the Cemetery grounds, as noted in the Cemetery Business Plan
and in recognition of the current functions of the access roads, staff proposes to vacate
the streets shown on Exhibit A of the attached Resolution.. Staff has consulted with the
Fire Department to ensure that proposed street closures would continue to provide
sufficient fire access. No additional access will be closed, beyond that which is
identified within the Business Plan. Per the Streets and Highway Code, vacation of
Public Right-of-Way requires a Public Hearing.
FinanciaF Impacts & Budget Actions
There is ho impact on the City's budget as a result of the proposed Woodlawn
Cemetery street vacation.
Prepared by: Antonio Shaibani, P.E., Supervising Civil Engineer
Approved:
~~~~
Lee E. Swain, Director
Department of Public Works
Forwarded to Council:
Attachment: Resolution
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Reference Resolution No.
10438 (CCS).