Proposed Rosehill Nature Preserve

At a City Council meeting on Thursday, September 8, 2011, I introduced two ordinances relating to the City’s acquisition of 20.5 acres of Rosehill Cemetery, consisting of the heavily-wooded, undeveloped area on the western edge of the cemetery, and including the lake located therein.

The first ordinance seeks approval for such acquisition and certain easement and setback agreements necessary for both the development of a public nature preserve in the acquired property, and Rosehill Cemetery’s continued use of certain facilities to insure its successful day-to-day operations.

The City expects to acquire the property in November, will begin nature preserve improvements in 2012, and will open the nature preserve in 2013. The second ordinance rezones certain undeveloped land in the southwestern portion of the cemetery to RM-5 for possible future development as senior housing or certain institutional uses. As a result of this rezoning, certain cemetery neighbors will be receiving notices in the mail. Presently, no project is planned, and this step represents a first step towards a planned development that would be undertaken at a later date if and when an actual project is proposed. A planned development is just what the name implies.

It is a process that includes the community and city departments for review and constructive suggestions and input. The land being rezoned is already subject to certain private recorded restrictions which limit the types of development that may be undertaken and assure that any such permitted development is compatible with and does not disturb the peaceful and tranquil operation of the remainder of the Rosehill Cemetery.

As always, I will keep the residents of the 40th Ward informed and solicit your input if and when any future project is proposed.