Laguna Niguel Worried By Crematory

Residents and city officials in Laguna Niguel expressed concern Tuesday night about a proposed crematory near the city’s border with San Juan Capistrano, fearing the potential health hazard the facility might pose to neighboring residents.

After a charged hearing Tuesday night, the council voted 4 to 0 to hire a consultant to examine possible effects of the emissions. They also decided to send a letter to San Juan Capistrano officials detailing their concerns.

“I think it’s important to do this now so that we’re ready to roll when the [project’s environmental report] is released.� said Mayor Cathryn DeYung, who placed the item on the agenda.

About 20 residents from the group Healthy Environment for Local People attended the hearing to voice their opposition.

The proposed crematory is part of a large church complex planned by the Rancho Capistrano Ministries, which operates a church, school, athletic fields, retreat and conference center west of the San Diego Freeway near Camino Capistrano.

At issue is whether the operation of a crematory is appropriate so close to homes and whether the traffic created by the church expansion would affect Laguna Niguel residents. The city’s Laguna Heights neighborhood overlooks the campus.

Rancho Capistrano Ministries, which is owned by Crystal Cathedral Ministries, is spread over 175 acres. The group hopes to use the site for a Catholic high school, a wellness center, a mortuary and mausoleum, a cemetery and the crematory.

Ministry officials are negotiating with Junipero Serra High School at Rancho Capistrano, which would like to purchase 35 acres to build the new high school.

An environmental study of the plan is expected in May or June. The proposal will then go before San Juan Capistrano’s Planning Commission and City Council.

Ministry officials said they want to “be a good neighbor� and agree the plan--including the crematory--needs to be examined.

“If we find out that the crematorium would have negative effects on people’s health, then we would not pursue that use,� said Cheryl Ellison, the ministry’s chief of operations. “We have a commitment to wellness and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.�

Nearby Laguna Niguel residents objected to initial plans that required visitors to the campus to travel through Laguna Niguel along Golden Lantern.

“If you’re going to build a project, put in a traffic route directly off the freeway and not through Laguna Niguel,� said Gregg Marston, who lives in Laguna Heights. “And don’t build a crematorium next to our homes.�

Amendments have been made to the traffic plan addressing neighbors’ concerns, said Julie Vandermost, a consultant for Rancho Capistrano Ministries. But the crematorium is still a sticking point for residents.

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Crematorium Debate

Laguna Niguel city officials and residents are concerned about a proposed development--which includes a crematorium--that is just over the city line in San Juan Capistrano.