Frequently Asked Questions

Construction and grading activities, including but not limited to equipment warm up, geologic investigations, interments excavation for placement of vaults and installation or removal of large landscape materials or landscaping maintenance shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays only. Notwithstanding the foregoing, within 120 feet of any property line abutting a Residential Zoning District, no construction or grading, including grading operations to prepare sites for earth interments, shall occur before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. All equipment shall be equipped with a muffler to reduce on-site grading and construction noise levels.

No. Green Hills submitted a letter prepared by Bolton Engineering verifying that the existing lawn crypt plot plugs placed at the edges of the last row of burial plots along the north property line are located at a minimum of 8’ from the north property line.

Yes. The property owner shall conduct its activities on site so as to not create noise nuisances to neighboring properties. Live and/or amplified music, for funeral services community events shall be limited to the duration of the service or event. No noise shall emanate from the property exceeding 65 dBA at the common property lines abutting a Residential Zoning District. The property owner shall be responsible for monitoring, preventing, and initiating timely corrective action to address any noise problems. This condition shall apply in addition to any noise ordinance and/or code amendment adopted by the City, and when there is conflicting requirements, the stricter requirement shall apply. For excessive noise or other activities that results in impacts, Green Hills Cemetery security may be reached at (310) 995-7006 from 4pm-9:30pm.

No, it is the same. In January 2013, Green Hills submitted plans reflecting an overall building height of 22.5’, with a datum point of 322.5’ to the top of the parapet. A silhouette was installed depicting the proposed building envelope, including its height. A silhouette certification was submitted ensuring that the silhouette reflected the submitted plans (see attachment below). In April 2013, the Planning Division approved the plans and subsequently another set of plans with revisions to the grading and no changes to the building height in November 2013. Green Hills were granted a Building Permit and construction began. In August and September 2015, building height certifications prepared by a licensed surveyor were submitted by Green Hills certifying the parapet wall at a height of 322.5’ (see attachment below).

Highly likely. Areas 5 and 6 are approved to be used for stockpiling of soil while other parts of the cemetery are developed/improved over time. As earth is placed and removed from the area, it is inevitable that the grades will continuously change. It should be noted that the Master Plan shows future mausoleum buildings in the west half of this area. For future development applications for these mausoleum buildings, the baseline grades will be based on the 2011 topographic survey filed with the City. Any improvements in this area will be subject to review with opportunities for public input.

Requests for new mausoleum buildings and rooftop interments are subject to director review by the City Council at a duly noticed public hearing.

Yes. The City Council shall conduct an annual review or as deemed necessary by the City Council to review the property owner’s compliance with all conditions of approval associated with the Master Plan. At that time, the City Council may add, delete, or modify the conditions of approval as deemed necessary and appropriate. Notice of said review hearing shall be published and provided to owners of property within a 500’ foot radius, to persons requesting notice, to all affected homeowners associations, and to the property owner in accordance with Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code Section 17.80.090. As the most recent Annual Review was conducted on January 31, 2017, the next Annual Review is anticipated to be conducted by the City Council in January 2018.