Se,~A ABBOTSFORD Report No. PRC 049-2015 COUNCIL REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Date: File No: To: From: Subject: November 30, 2015 6240-01 Mayor and Council James Arden, Director, Park Services Park Lane Road Closure RECOMMENDATION THAT staff be authorized to proceed with the permanent road closure of Park Lane, within Hazelwood Cemetery. SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE On August 11, 2014, City Council approved the Cemetery Capital Improvements Plan, as detailed in Council report PRC 24-2014 (see Attached "A"). The approval of Park Lane Road closure is required in order to move forward with the development of Hazelwood Cemetery. BACKGROUND The Hazelwood Cemetery is currently dissected by Park Lane, an undersized municipal road that runs in a north-south direction. The eastern property was obtained by the City approximately 37 years ago with the intention of it being used for cemetery operations (see Attachment "A"). In the autumn of 2007, Council approved the Civic Cemeteries Master Plan as prepared by the Arlington Group Planning & Architecture Inc. As outlined within this Master Plan, opportunities lie to the east and to the south (subject to constraints of the BC Hydro right-of-way and transmission towers). Vacanf municipal land to the east has been owned by the City for at least 37 years. The road (Park Lane) between the cemetery and this land has been closed. This vacant property east of Park Lane has a large area of 3.75ha of potential development. Cemetery operations began expanding into this property in 2012 with the development and construction of the columbarium. In 2013, a residential development application was brought forward that would see Park Lane reopened and used as a municipal road to provide access to this development. The development did not proceed as planned and access has been achieved form Elmwood Drive. As a result of this development application it was realized the impact of not having a proper road closure of Park Lane would have on existing and future cemetery operations at Hazelwood Cemetery. The greatest impact would be to the newly constructed columbarium with a sizeable portion of the front gathering area being reduced by the required road widening that would need to take place to bring Park Lane to today's standards for municipal roads.
Report No. PRC 049-2015 Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION The necessary road closure of Park Lane is a preservation of existing and future cemetery operations within Hazelwood Cemetery. The location of the cemetery internal roads will be determined by this road closure resulting in more opportunity for space for plots and will have a direct reflection on cemetery revenues. Staff engaged Engineering and Fire and Rescue Services about the proposed road closure and no objections were raised as long as access via Pratt Street remained or other alternatives are provided in the future. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION During the Capital Budget process for 2014, Council approved $275,000 for the development of Hazelwood and Mt. Lehman cemeteries. In the 2015 Financial Plan, there was $16,000 carried forward in the burial expansion fund for Hazelwood Cemetery which would fund the legal survey and associated works for the road closure. e iewed and approved by the: Chief Financial Officer IMPACTS ON COUNCIL POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLAN AND/OR COUNCIL DIRECTION The road closure is supported by the 2005 Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the 2007 Civic Cemeteries Master Plan and aligns with Councils cornerstones of a complete community and organizational alignment. SUBSTANTIATION OF RECOMMENDATION The permanent road closure of Park Lane is required in order to move forward with the design and development of the eastern property that is separated from the rest of the cemetery by Park Lane, the permanent road closure of Park Lane is required. Jam s Arden Dire tor, Park Services ager, Parks, Recreation & Culture
Report No. PRC 049-2015 Page 3 of 3 ATTACHMENTS Attachment "A": Council Report PRC 24-2014 Attachment "B": Map of Hazelwood Cemetery
Se,~ ABBOTSFORD Attachment A COUNCIL REPORT Report No. PRC 24-2014 Date: July 28, 2014 File No:4100-01 & 1700-20 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE To: From: Subject: Mayor and Council Dan Weatherby, Manager, Park Maintenance & Cemeteries Cemetery Capital Improvements Plan RECOMMENDATION THAT the Cemetery Capital Improvements Plan, attached to Report No. PRC 24-2014, be approved. SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE Council approved the use of development money to add to the capacity and burial options in the cemeteries in the budget process. $275,000 was approved in the 2014 Capital budget with the funds from the Cemetery Capital Reserve. The intent of this report is to update Council on how and where the development is to proceed. BACKGROUND In the Fall of 2007, Council approved the Civic Cemeteries Master Plan as prepared by the Arlington Group Planning & Architecture Inc. The Civic Cemeteries Master Plan is guided by the following principles: preserve, restore and protect those aspects of the cemeteries that define their heritage character; ensure further development does not disturb existing grave and cremation sites; provide an array of memorialization options in response to market trends and capacity constraints; enhance and diversify cemetery landscapes to include contemplative spaces, inclement weather mitigation, and way finding measures; enhance the landscapes to attract and support broader community uses such as walking, cycling, historical tours and interpretation and appropriate events; and ensure fiscally sustainable operations through efficient use of existing resources and diversification of services. The guiding principles as outlined in the Master Plan are still relevant today however; in order to realize this plan a separate business plan is required. The City of Abbotsford hired Lees and Associates to draft a Cemetery Business Plan and the following analysis outlines the key components of the Business Plan to move the Cemeteries Master Plan forward. Prior to 2013, Abbotsford cemeteries were designed and managed for traditional full casket burials and in - ground cremation burials. The City has moved forward with alternative methods of interment including: columbaria niche walls, ossuaries, in-ground vaults and scatter gardens. These
Report No. PRC 24-2014 Page 2 of 3 alternatives utilize less space, are less costly to maintain, offer more affordable options to the consumer and availability. DISCUSSION The first phase of development was completed in May 2013 at the Hazelwood Cemetery and included the new burial options of columbarium, scatter gardens, and ossuaries. To maintain an ongoing inventory of 100 burial plots for sale, as per the Cemetery Bylaw, further in ground options are needed at Hazelwood. Part of the 2014 expansion will be dedicated to reclaiming and preparing existing land at Hazelwood for future burials (see Attachment "A"). During the capital budget presentation to Council it was explained that development also needed to take place at the other three cemeteries. According to the 2007 Master Plan, Musselwhite, Aberdeen and Mt. Lehman Cemeteries all have capacity for development but most of the public requests are for development at Mt. Lehman. On the north and east sides of the property there are unused road right of way parcels that could be rededicated as cemetery. The property owner to the north of the cemetery has his fence line down the centre of the road right of way and it would have to be moved to the property line. Additionally, there is a small triangular piece of property to the east that is City owned and could also be included (see Attachment "B"). Many of the longtime local residents have been requesting burial plots in Mt. Lehman Cemetery. They have long time ties to the Mt. Lehman and Bradner community and, when the time comes, they want to be interred when their families have been, some for generations. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION During the Capital Budget process for 2014, Council approved$ 275,000 for development of the cemeteries. Hazelwood expansion of in ground burials will cost $25,000 and Mt. Lehman expansion and development will cost $250,000. The Cemetery Development fund has the funds to cover the improvements and the funds will come from the Cemetery Capital Reserve; therefore, there is no further impact to the taxpayer for this improvement. Reviewed and approved by the: Chief Financial Officer IMPACTS ON COUNCIL POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLAN AND/OR COUNCIL DIRECTION The project is supported by the 2005 Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the 2007 Civic Cemeteries Master Plan.
Report No. PRC 24-2014 Page 3 of 3 SUBSTANTIATION OF RECOMMENDATION The growing need for burial plots and alternative internment options has been identified by the Parks, Recreation and Culture department in the planning and development of Master Plans and Capital Budget processes. The City has an ongoing commitment as per the Cemetery Bylaw to maintain a level of service and a customer service need to meet for residents to be interred with relatives. Staff have planned and worked to establish budget funds to ensure the ongoing investment in the cemeteries to meet the needs of a growing public demand and need. Dan Weatherby Manager, Park Maintenance & Cemeteries Heidi Enns General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture ATTACHMENTS Attachment "A": Hazelwood Full Casket Burial Expansion Attachment "B": Mt. Lehman Cemetery Development
Attachment B
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