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Irvine City Council Rejects Veterans Cemetery Proposal

Residents and veterans voice their opinions during the Irvine City Council meeting on the cemetery proposal.

News Summary

The Irvine City Council has rejected a proposal for a veterans cemetery at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The decision came after a divided council meeting amid community support and opposition. Mayor Larry Agran’s motion to reconsider the location was defeated. Despite ongoing efforts for a cemetery in Orange County, residents have expressed concerns about property values and the impact of a cemetery on the community’s recreational vision. Discussions continue as supporters shift focus to a new site in Anaheim’s Gypsum Canyon.

Irvine – The Irvine City Council has officially rejected a proposal to construct a veterans cemetery at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The decision, made during a city council meeting on Tuesday evening, came after a divided discussion among council members and amidst a large turnout of residents and veterans advocating for various stances on the issue. Supporters wore sky blue shirts, while opponents donned orange shirts.

Mayor Larry Agran, who pushed to revisit the debate on the cemetery’s location, saw his motion rejected by a 4-3 vote just after midnight. This decision aligns with a broader consensus among council members who expressed that a cemetery does not fit with their vision for the Great Park area, initially designed for recreational use and amenities.

Approximately 130,000 veterans reside in Orange County, yet the closest dedicated cemetery is located more than 40 miles away at Riverside National Cemetery. Efforts to establish a veterans cemetery within Orange County have persisted for over a decade, with legislative support dating back to the signing of AB 1453 by former Governor Jerry Brown.

The ongoing initiative, however, has been hampered by political disputes, competing interests from property developers, site selection challenges, and multiple ballot measures. In light of these complications, veterans and supporters have redirected their attention to a new site in Anaheim’s Gypsum Canyon. This alternative has garnered backing from various local, county, state, and federal officials, and plans to start construction are scheduled for 2026.

Despite optimism regarding the Gypsum Canyon site, Mayor Agran expressed doubts about its financial feasibility, claiming there are insufficient funds for the project. Countering these concerns, Orange County Supervisors Don Wagner and Katrina Foley confirmed that funding for the proposed cemetery in Anaheim is secured.

The request for a veterans cemetery in Irvine has triggered community discussions that illustrate the tension between honoring military service and accommodating local preferences. Since the closure of the Marine base in 1999, Irvine’s demographics have shifted dramatically, with the population more than doubling to over 300,000. Many younger families have chosen to settle in the area, leading to growing apprehension about property values and the stigma associated with living near a cemetery.

Some residents living close to the proposed El Toro site have voiced apprehension that the ceremonial gun salutes associated with the cemetery could negatively affect children’s mental well-being. Furthermore, the opposition stems not just from financial concerns but from a desire to maintain the integrity and vision of the Great Park and its recreational offerings.

Although the city council voted against the cemetery proposal, Agran is reconsidering the importance of advocating for a burial site for veterans and their families in the area. This reflects an ongoing public discourse that seeks a balance between honoring the sacrifices of military personnel and addressing the preferences of the community.

As discussions continue, stakeholders urge that efforts to secure a permanent resting place for veterans in Orange County remain a priority, amidst adjustments and evolving community sentiments.