The Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Commission will consider approving a new master plan for the city-owned Pioneer Cemetery at its meeting tonight.
Kathleen Yurchak, assistant director of Operations Services, said the plan, developed by a "Master Plan Oversight Committee," has been available for public review since Sept. 2 on the city's website at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/ Feedback was to be sent to her at kyurchak@cityofpleasantonca.gov/ or by mail to: City of Pleasanton, Attention: Kathleen Yurchak, PO BOX 520, Pleasanton, CA 94566.
The Oversight Committee was appointed by the City Council to help determine the future of the cemetery. Yurchak said the process began last January and that over the past eight months, an outside consultant, PGA design Inc., has worked with city staff to develop a comprehensive Master Plan.
Since then, Yurchak said, residents and "interested stakeholders" have had an opportunity to review and comment on the draft plan that includes a summary of the cemetery's existing conditions, a design concept plan including landscape improvements, expanded burial options and improved access.
In addition, Yurchak said the plan includes a business plan framework, estimated construction costs, and operating rules and regulations.
The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will start at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the City Council chamber at the Pleasanton Civic Center, 200 Old Bernal Ave.
Comments
Parkside
on Oct 7, 2014 at 3:57 pm
on Oct 7, 2014 at 3:57 pm
I applaud this plan, and urge the Commission to move forward with it. Well done Kathleen Yurchak
Birdland
on Oct 7, 2014 at 5:17 pm
on Oct 7, 2014 at 5:17 pm
Of course the "interested stakeholders" want a manicured cemetery that they have a plot it, and have the residents of Pleasanton pay for it.
I suggest that this becomes a special assessment district for those who have plots and allow them to vote on whether they want to pay more for a manicured cemetery, or accept the cemetery type and conditions that they knew were there when they paid for their plots. Those who bought plots prior to the city owning them paid around $1,000 for their plots. Those who bought afterwards paid more but the contract said this was a pioneer cemetery and maintained as such.
This is not a park that everybody can enjoy. This is a piece of land where people have bought a piece of it in order to be occupied by themselves once they pass away. It is a private plot that cannot be used by the general public (like a park) so should be treated as a business like all other cemeteries. Since owned by the city, this should be an enterprise fund that pays for itself and not a draw on the general fund for improvements that change it from a pioneer cemetery.
Highland Oaks
on Oct 8, 2014 at 12:40 am
on Oct 8, 2014 at 12:40 am
Some of us bought our "property" there before it became a Pioneer Cemetery, while it was being maintained by the Foresters, and though it was minimally maintained, it had green grass, mowed lawn, and was a "peaceful" place to visit. Now, however, it is not a safe place to walk across to dispose of flowers, or get water for fresh flowers because of uneven land that has been changed by moles and squirrels. Some headstones sit unevenly in the ground, and even though benches have been provided and better areas to dispose of flowers, it is not a pleasant place to visit. Some people would not consider a cemetery a "pleasant" place to visit, but if your family members are there and some of your memories are there, and you'd like to pay respects to your ancestors or relatives it would be nice if you could walk across the cemetery without a fear of tripping or spraining an ankle. It should provide as much of a safe place as any city property, and has the potential of being a respectful parklike setting.
Golden Eagle
on Oct 8, 2014 at 10:57 am
on Oct 8, 2014 at 10:57 am
Where can I see the the Master Plan? Is it on line or at City Hall?