Discuss the proposed Crescent Gardens Cemetery project and provide direction to Staff.

The Riverside County Planning Department is currently processing Conditional Use Permit No. 230002 for the proposed Crescent Gardens Cemetery project located in the Meadowbrook area of Riverside County, adjacent to the City of Canyon Lake. Riverside County, acting as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the project and has scheduled a public hearing regarding the Notice of Intent to Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration on April 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. 
 

The proposed development includes a 25-acre gravesite area with approximately 20,000 burial plots, along with associated facilities including a mortuary, chapel, equipment shed, caretaker residence, and visitor parking.  On August 13, 2025, the City Council unanimously approved and adopted Resolution No. 2025-38, formally opposing the proposed project due to concerns regarding its proximity to a drinking water reservoir and potential impacts to groundwater resources. 

This item has been placed on the agenda by Mayor Smith to allow the City Council the opportunity to discuss the proposed project and the upcoming County hearing.