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Ms. Pattillo confirmed, noting that some were likely made of wood and have likely sunken. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio asked how much is related to earthquake damage, which has been an <br /> issue at other historic cemeteries. <br /> Ms. Pattillo could not say for certain but did not think it had been a major factor. <br /> Vice-Mayor Pentin asked if the desire to correct the sunken vaults relates to safety or aesthetics and <br /> commented that some of this is part of the charm and nature of a pioneer cemetery. <br /> Ms. Pattillo concurred, stressed that overall they are looking to maintain the character and feel of the <br /> site, but said that some damage is so severe as to present either a hazard or warrant some level of <br /> aesthetic repair. She explained that one of the recommendations included in the Master Plan is to hire <br /> someone to establish a set of guidelines to address the procedures for maintenance and repair while <br /> respecting the materials and character that are already present. <br /> She presented the proposed site plan which focused on the development of a park-like feeling. The <br /> most significant expanded burial options would be the development of two new portions of the site <br /> known as the Sunol Cremation Garden at the northwest portion of the site and the South Hill Dry Creek <br /> Garden located between the Sunol Dry Creek on the south property line and the 202 newer casket <br /> plots. The Sunol Cremation Garden, inhabiting an area that used to provide access to Sunol Boulevard <br /> but is now defunct, would be developed with a series of terraced plots containing cornerstones, coping <br /> edges and memorial plots. A zigzag shaped wall is also proposed just inside the existing hedge running <br /> along Sunol Boulevard and would serve to obscure the view from the roadway, buffer noise and provide <br /> a vertical surface on which to locate additional burials. Other notable improvements include a prominent <br /> veterans memorial at the location currently known as Flag Circle, new tree plantings around the <br /> perimeter of the historic area of the site, the construction of several accessible pathways linking the <br /> older and newer portions of the site, installation of interpretive materials, and planting of a hedge <br /> between the Italian Cypress trees running along the north property line. <br /> Ms. Pattillo noted that in surveying the site, there are a number of plots within the historic area that <br /> appear to be unused although it is still unclear due to incomplete burial records. The plan therefore <br /> recommends a thorough review of the historic archives to update the inventory of which plots have <br /> been sold and are in use, which were sold and are not in use, and which may still be available. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio asked if, assuming the matter still remains unclear, there is a preferred <br /> way to identify whether a plot is occupied. <br /> Ms. Pattillo explained that ground proofing, which uses some sort of sonar or radar mechanism, can <br /> provide these types of answers without desecrating the grave and therefore would be preferred. She <br /> reported that Catholic Cemetery and Funeral Services estimates there to be somewhere in the <br /> neighborhood of 200 casket plots within the historic section of the cemetery that are unsold and <br /> available. The plan recommends developing those vacant areas, which are assumed to be <br /> approximately 25 feet square, with a new 20 by 20 foot burial plot containing cornerstones, coping <br /> edges, inset plantings and flowering trees and a surrounding pathway. Current projections anticipate 8 <br /> of these areas, each containing 78 new cremain burial opportunities for a total of 624 new sets of <br /> cremains. Construction estimates for each area would be around $30,000 but the potential revenue <br /> generated would range from $234,000 to $312,000. <br /> Ms. Pattillo acknowledged that the majority of the focus is on cremains sites, both because industry <br /> preferences have rapidly transitioned from whole caskets to cremains and because they require much <br /> less square footage. Nonetheless, there are some who still strongly prefer a full casket burial so the <br /> plan has identified the potential for 167 new casket plots in the currently undeveloped areas of the site <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 22 November 18, 2014 <br />