The Planning and Community Development Committee received a briefing on local regulations for cemeteries and was told the city is monitoring House Bill 2673 at the state Legislature, which would, if enacted, prohibit new cemeteries within municipal boundaries and within five miles of those limits.

Why it matters: Passage of HB 2673 would change the city’s ability to review and approve new cemetery developments; the committee asked for a follow-up coordination with Parks and other departments to inventory existing cemetery sites and clarify city roles if the legislation advances.

What staff said: Melissa Ramirez, assistant director of the Development Services Department, explained current local process: new cemeteries require specific-use zoning authorization approved by council, notification procedures follow state law (notice to property owners within 200 feet and other stakeholders), and plats and site approvals require review by multiple subject-matter agencies including streets, traffic, CPS Energy, SAWS, Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation. Ramirez told the committee staff found about 45 cemeteries inside the city limits using an external listing (Find a Grave) and then mapped them by council district.

Pending state action: Ramirez said House Bill 2673, filed in the legislative session, would reverse a prior provision and would prohibit cemeteries in city limits and within five miles of those limits. Staff recommended continuing to monitor the bill and did not recommend immediate changes to local regulations. Committee members asked for additional detail about ownership, stewardship and location of existing cemeteries and expressed interest in returning to the committee for a closer inventory and for Parks Department input once the state bill’s status is clearer.

Next steps: Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate a follow-up meeting that includes Parks and legal staff to examine which cemeteries are city-owned or otherwise maintained and to determine how to respond if state legislation changes the local permitting landscape.