06.17.2024
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
ITEM NO. 1
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION NO. 2020-00204
Location: This approximately 283-acre property is
located southeast of the State Route 91/Gypsum Canyon
Road interchange, at the terminus of Santa Ana Canyon
Road.
Request: The applicant requests approval of a tentative parcel map and conditional use permit to construct and
operate a cemetery use. Parcel 1 and Parcel 2 would be
approximately 126 and 157 acres, respectively. Parcel 1 would be developed as a public cemetery to be
owned/operated by the Orange County Cemetery District.
Parcel 2 is being proposed as a Veterans Cemetery in
collaboration between the applicant and the California
Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet). The request
also includes amendments to the General Plan Land Use
Element, Mountain Park Specific Plan No. 90-4, and
Zoning Code.
Environmental Determination: The Planning
Commission will consider whether an Addendum to the
Certified Final Environmental Impact Report No. 331 and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan No. 137 is the appropriate environmental documentation for the project.
Recommended City
Council approval of the
project and approved
Resolution Nos. PC2024-
015, PC2024-016 and
PC2024-017.
MOTION: (Perez/Tran
Martin)
VOTE: 6-0
Chairperson Kring and
Commissioners Castro,
Kelly, Lieberman, Perez
and Tran-Martin voted
yes. Commissioner
Walker absent.
Project Planner:
Jose Barriga
[email protected]
Jose Barriga, Senior Planner, provided a summary of the staff report dated June 17, 2024, and a visual presentation. He noted that the request is for various land use entitlements for the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project. He provided background on the Mountain Park Specific Plan and the project site; then provided an overview of the major project components. He also provided a description of the required land use entitlements and discretionary actions needed for project approvals and concluded with a summary of the environmental analysis undertaken for the project, and staff’s recommendation.
Since the posting of the agenda, staff received public comments for this request that have been distributed to the Commission prior to the public hearing.
Commissioner Lieberman asked questions regarding the Mountain Park Specific Plan between 1991 and 2005 that were answered by Jose Barriga, Senior Planner.
Commissioner Lieberman asked for clarification on the traffic changes to improve through traffic at Gypsum Canyon that was answered by Cory Wilkerson, Principal Transportation Planner.
06.17.2024
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
Tim Deutsch, Applicant, spoke about the proposed project. He spoke about their mission and how they were searching for open space in cities. He spoke about how they provided several community outreach events and had on-site events. Tim provided the website where the community could follow for updated information on the project. Tim explained how the process of the project will happen over multiple phases.
Commissioner Kelly asked questions on where the nearest veterans cemetery was and what happens if they run out of spaces for the current public cemeteries. The applicant stated Riverside National in Riverside County would be the closest for any Orange County residents. If they ran out of room for the public cemetery, they would have to go a private cemetery or go outside of the county.
Commissioner Perez asked if the applicant was okay with all the conditions of approval. The applicant stated they are.
Chairperson Kring asked a question if the cemetery will have areas dedicated to different religions. The applicant stated no, they do not have areas dedicated to religious sections as the Health and Safety Code doesn’t allow for such dedications.
Commissioner Castro asked if the cemetery is only for Orange County residents. The applicant stated public cemetery law restricts it to being for Orange County residents and taxpayers for the public portion. The veteran cemetery is open to any veteran that meets qualifications and eligibility criteria.
Chairperson Kring invited the public to make comments.
Bill Cook provided public comment in support of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Michael Milless provided public comment in support of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Daniel Jennings provided public comment in support of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Michelle De La Cruz provided public comment in support of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Gaby Noriega provided public comment in support of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Nick Berardino provided public comment in support of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Paul Bartlett provided public comment in support of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Harvey Liss provided public comment in opposition of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Olivia Marsh provided neutral public comment of the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
Chairperson Kring asked a question about the traffic issues in the area. Cory Wilkerson, Principal Transportation Planner, responded.
06.17.2024
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
Commission Lieberman voiced concerns regarding the intersection operating at a Level of Service F and when will the city make improvements. Cory Wilkerson, Principal Transportation Planner, responded.
Commissioner Kelly made a comment on the traffic in the area and how the funeral services will have concluded for the day before the traffic usually starts.
Commissioner Perez made a motion to approve the project.
Commissioner Tran-Martin seconded the motion.
Motion carried by a vote of 6-0. Commissioner Walker was absent.