Hollywood Forever Inc (Fernwood Cemetery) Master Plan Amendment, Use Permit, Design Review & Tree Removal Permit - P6163

The applicant is requesting Master Plan and Use Permit approval to expand the Fernwood Cemetery (301 Tennessee Valley Road, APN 052-100-12 and -13) onto an adjoining property (APN 052-100-06) to accommodate future burial needs. The applicant is also requesting Design Review approval for two restroom buildings, one maintenance shed, and 40,000-gallon underground water storage tank. Additionally, the expansion will consist of new access driveway, two memorial gathering areas. The remainder of the property will consist of burial areas and/or open space.

The proposed Master Plan would establish the overall framework for the cemetery expansion and provides an overview of the future developments plans and the long-term vision for the cemetery. The expansion is envisioned as a multi-phase project to be implemented over a period of approximately 10 years or more, depending on actual demand for burial space, market conditions, and operational needs. 

The phasing of the cemetery expansion is proposed to take place in three phases. Phase 1 would occur within 5 years to establish the infrastructure needed to support cemetery operations and visitor access, along with selected burial areas and public-facing amenities. Specific developed that would occur as part of this phase include the following: construction of the internal driveway system, development of burial areas, memorial gathering area A and B, and restroom A and B, maintenance area to support ongoing operations, construction of terraced areas on the west side for future burials, east side improvements (trail enhancements and greenbelt planting).

Phase 2 would expand the burial capacity as the demand increases and is proposed to occur between years 5-15. This would occur on the east side of the site and buildout of remaining burial plots on the south side.

Phase 3 focuses on the buildout of the cemetery’s more remote (far west side) and later-needed areas after 15 years. 

As part of the proposed Master Plan the applicant is proposing design standards for the future developed to follow including: 1) site materials and site color palette, 2) pathways and stairs, 3) driveways and parking, 4) retaining walls and screening, 5) memorial gathering spaces, 6) architectural design standards for restrooms and maintenance sheds, 7) burials, 8) burial monuments 9) fences, gates and guardrails, 10) lighting, 11) signage and wayfinding, 12) noise mitigation, and 13) planting.

Proposed restroom A would reach a maximum height of 14 feet 5 inches above grade and would be located within the northern portion of the property near the Marin Municipal water tank. The total size of the structure would be 592 square feet. 

Proposed restroom B would reach a height of 17 feet 11 inches above grade and would be located on the southern portion of the cemetery expansion area. The total size of the structure would be 309 square feet.

The proposed maintenance shed would reach a height of 14 feet 4 inches above grading and would be located in the northern portion of the cemetery expansion area, near the northern property lines along Donahue Street. The total size of the structure would be 1,672 square feet.

New retaining walls reaching up to 8 feet tall are associated with the driveway development. Retaining walls are proposed to be screened with trees, shrubs, and understory vegetation. 

Currently, the cemetery includes a small network of internal driveways. New vehicular circulation would be extended into the proposed cemetery expansion area via proposed Driveway 2. Proposed Driveway 1 would connect from the cul de sac at the top of Donahue Street to proposed Driveway 2. Extensions off of proposed Driveway 2 would include a driveway (Driveway 5) to the maintenance area and another driveway (Driveway 3) to the top of the hill by the water tower. Proposed Driveway 1 and 2 would connect at the center of the site, followed by Driveway 4 to the first turnaround on south, and another extension Driveway 6 to the second turnaround southeast. The proposed driveway system would have two 10-foot lanes with 1-foot shoulders and retaining walls. The proposed roadway network includes a total of 3,785-linear feet of driveway. The steepest proposed road would be 16.5% with a cross slope of 2%-3%.

The proposed pedestrian circulation includes an interconnected system of walking paths ranging from primary 8-foot cart accessible pathways to secondary 4-foot circulation paths, smaller informal footpaths leading to individual burial areas, and natural hiking trails that meander through the property. 
Parking areas are divided between four small lots distributed across the site. Parallel parking is also proposed along proposed Driveway 4. A total of 65 new parking spaces would be created. ADA accessible parking is also proposed. 

The proposed circulation system would require several modifications to existing easements and would establish one new easement for access. This includes a new emergency vehicle access easement proposed along the internal roadways.

The proposed planting varies across the site based on intended use, microclimate, slope conditions, and available maintenance resources. Proposed planting consists primarily of California native species, with an emphasis on plants that are indigenous to Marin County. The proposed planting would occur gradually over many years as the cemetery expands through the use of established planting standards. 

The proposed project includes the removal of 48 total trees, 17 of them would be considered protected trees per Marin County Code Chapter 22.75. The proposed replacement trees would consist primarily of native and climate resilient species.

Much of the operations associated with the cemetery expansion would be similar to how the Fernwood Cemetery current operates. The cemetery is open to the public for consultations, visitations, and memorial services during the following hours: Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Internal operations such as preparation, grounds maintenance, and staff coordination occur daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and again after public hours as needed. The cemetery is not open to the public during the dark. Deliveries occur primarily on weekdays and include mail and parcels, casket deliveries, linens, maintenance supplies, and the receipt or transport of decedents. Typical staffing levels include up to 20 staff members on weekdays and up to 6 staff members on weekends.

Master Plan and Design Review. Pursuant to Section 22.44.020 of the Marin County Development Code, a Master Plan is required for large-scale development of the site and pursuant to Section 22.42.020 of the Marin County Code, Design Review is required for new development in a planned zoning district. 

Use Permit. Pursuant to Marin County Code section 22.10.030, Table 2-4, cemeteries are conditionally permitted use in the RMP (Residential Multiple Planned) zoning district. 

Tree Removal Permit. Pursuant to Marin County Code section 22.62.020 of the County Code, a Tree Removal permit is necessary to allow the removal of regulated trees. Remove approximately 17 protected, healthy, mature, native trees to accommodate the project.


Zoning    RMP-0.5 and HOD RMP-0.5 
Community Plan (if applicable)    Tamalpais Valley and Marin City 
County Plan Designation    PR and HOD PR