RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 25-
0001 TO REVISE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF APPROXIMATELY 10 ACRES LOCATED ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF RAMON
ROAD AND DA VALL DRIVE DESIGNATED CG (GENERAL
COMMERCIAL) ON THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE MAP TO
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (NC)
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 65300 of the State Planning and Zoning Law (Division 1 Title 7 of the California Government Code) on July 28, 2021, the City of Cathedral City adopted Resolution No. 2021-24 adopting the 2040 General Plan Update to provide comprehensive, long-range planning guidelines for future growth and development which incorporates the following thirteen elements: Land Use, Circulation and Mobility, Housing, Parks and Recreation, Community Design, Arts and Culture, Economic and Fiscal Health, Environmental Justice, Healthy and Sustainable Community, Open Space and Conservation, Air Quality and Climate Stability, Safety, and Public Services and Facilities. Each element of the General Plan provides Goals, Programs, and Policies as required by State Law; and
WHEREAS on February 6, 2025, T&B Planning, representing Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association, (“Applicant”) submitted applications to amend the General Plan (General Plan Amendment 25-0001), change the official zoning map (Change of Zone 25-0001) and establish the Forest Lawn Cathedral City Specific Plan (Specific Plan 25- 0001 (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, General Plan Amendment 25-0001 proposes to amend the General Plan Land Use Map so that the designation of approximately 10 acres located at the southwest corner of Ramon Road and Da Vall Drive is amended from General Commercial (GC) to Neighborhood Commercial (CN); and
WHEREAS, an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration were prepared for the Project subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15074; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2026, and April 15, 2026, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the Project, including General Plan Amendment 25-0001, at the City of Cathedral City Council Chambers, and adopted a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt General Plan Amendment 25-0001 to amend the Land Use Map; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2026 the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation on the Project; and WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
City Council Resolution No. ____
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Recitals set forth above are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 2. The City Council adopts the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15074, and finds as follows:
1. Based on the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative prepared for the Project, including comments received, that there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment; and
2. The Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the City Council’s independent judgment and analysis; and
3. In accordance with Section 15074, Chapter 3, Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (State CEQA Guidelines), the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program contained in the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration, dated January 2026, shall serve as the City’s reporting program for monitoring the mitigation measures specified in the Mitigated Negative Declaration; and
4. The Cathedral City Planning Department is the custodian of the documents or other material that constitute the record of proceedings upon which this decision is based.
Section 3. Based upon the foregoing, oral and written testimony presented by members of the public and City staff (including reports and presentations made at the public hearing), the City Council adopts General Plan Amendment 25-0001 based on the following findings:
1. The General Plan anticipates periodic revision to ensure City ordinances and policies are maintained in conformance with the General Plan; and
2. The Neighborhood Commercial designation is assigned to existing neighborhood centers and vacant lands appropriate for this use. This designation provides for commercial uses and a mix of land uses, such as the proposed cemetery use and ancillary office and retail uses. Therefore, the proposed CN designation is appropriate.
3. The proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent with the General Plan Land Use Element which provides for periodic review and amendment to ensure concurrently with changing conditions and to ensure it continues to reflect the goals of the community.
City Council Resolution No. ____
4. Adoption of this General Plan Amendment is not in conflict with Section 65358(b) of the California Government Code relating to the number of amendments permitted per year, because this amendment is the first amendment of calendar year 2026.
Section 4. Based upon the foregoing, oral and written testimony presented by members of the public and City staff (including reports and presentations made at the public hearing), the City Council adopts General Plan Amendment 25-0001, attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this ___ day of May 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
___________________________
Raymond Gregory, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Christina Burton, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
____________________________
Eric S. Vail, City Attorney
City Council Resolution No. ____
City Council Resolution No. ____
Exhibit 1
General Plan Amendment 25-0001
Amending the General Plan Land Use Designation of 10 acres located on the southwest corner of Ramon Road and Da Vall Drive from Commercial General (CG) to Neighborhood Commercial (CN)