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Presentation and Discussion of the Guaje Pines Cemetery Master Plan
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Los Alamos County has partnered with Sloane Consulting Group to develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Guaje Pines Cemetery, located at 901 Range Rd. This plan outlines a long-term vision for the care, maintenance, and development of the cemetery, ensuring it remains a peaceful and meaningful place for generations to come.
The Master Plan aims to ensure that Guaje Pines continues to fulfill its essential role in the community by providing dignified, accessible, and sustainable interment options while preserving its natural beauty and historical integrity. This project supports the Council priority of Operational Excellence- Infrastructure Management and Quality of Life and was identified as a key action in the Community Services Department Integrated Master Plan (Item 3.3F).
Key goals of this master plan include:
· Maximize the use of existing cemetery land to expand burial capacity and improve operational efficiency, while remaining responsive to the community’s evolving preferences and needs
· Preserve and enhance the site’s natural beauty and character, ensuring that future development respects the landscape and reinforces the cemetery’s tranquil setting
· Provide an achievable, actionable set of phased capital improvement recommendations that address the cemetery's operational and aesthetic needs while remaining fiscally responsible
· Offer clear operational guidance to support respectful, safe, and efficient cemetery management, prioritizing resident satisfaction and aligning with regional and national best practices.
Guaje Pines is approaching a critical capacity threshold. At present demand levels, the remaining columbaria niches have been exhausted, and casket graves could be depleted within two years. These shortages underscore the urgent need for thoughtful, strategic expansion, especially given the cemetery’s limited land base and the sustained demand expected over t...
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