As more families choose cremation over burial the Diocese of Tucson has decided to sell vacant cemetery land for a new housing development on the city’s east side.

OasisTucson has signed a letter of intent with the diocese to buy 19 acres on the southwest corner of the 90-acre All Faiths Cemetery on Avenida Los Reyes, near Old Spanish Trail. The proposed development would have 23 homes on 6.5 acres and leave 12.5 acres as open space.

β€œWhen the cemetery opened in 1980, cremation rates nationwide were probably about 10 percent,” said Anthony Crespo, executive director of cemeteries for the diocese. β€œToday in Pima County it’s over 65 percent. Church leaders had no way of knowing how cremation rates would rise.”

Statistics from the National Funeral Director’s Association show cremation rates are expected to be over 70 percent by 2030.

β€œLand is a finite thing,” Crespo said. β€œWe have to be responsible stewards of the land that we have.”

More and more, he said, people are choosing a columbarium as a final resting place for ashes.

β€œWe can place 12 remains in the place of one burial space,” he said. And urn spaces can be up to 10 spaces tall.

The money from the sale of the land will offset the cost of building asphalt roads around the cemetery, Crespo said. Because the sale isn’t final, he declined to disclose the offer amount.

More than 5,000 bodies are interred at the cemetery, and the dirt roads surrounding it routinely wash out with the monsoon, prompting complaints from visitors, he said.

β€œWe have families that have entrusted their loved ones to the cemetery,” he said. β€œIt’s unsightly and unsafe.”

Neighbors unhappy

Officials from the Diocese of Tucson, including Bishop Gerald Kicanas, met with a group of residents to inform them of the project but didn’t assuage everyone’s angst.

George Reitz built his home just south of the proposed project in 2000 and fears increased traffic in the neighborhood.

β€œFor a few pieces of silver, they’re selling out the Diocese of Tucson,” he said. β€œOur general consensus is the diocese is letting everyone down.”

He joked that his current neighbors in the cemetery are β€œquiet, except on Halloween.”

The sale, Reitz said, is β€œa slap in the face to anyone who has a loved one there.”

Six years ago, Norma Corral Campos buried her mother at the cemetery because of its quiet location and open, desert setting.

β€œWe chose it because it was isolated, peaceful and safe,” she said.

It’s the number of proposed homes that upsets her, she said. If developers built only one home per acre, which is common on that block, she would be fine with it.

Neighbors say they will fight to stop the project.

β€œIt’s just shocking to see a cemetery become a subdivision,” said Gerard Raneri, who has lived just west of the cemetery for 22 years. The density of the project is also his concern.

Residents have collected about 80 signatures and have approached City Councilwoman Shirley Scott with their concerns.

Scott confirmed that she has heard from many constituents about the project.

β€œIt’s so early in the process,” she said. β€œNothing has been formalized. Developers will move forward with more input from the community, and that’s appropriate.”

She said any statement in support or opposition of the project would be premature.

β€œI’m not directly involved,” Scott said. β€œI’m listening as an interested party.”

Project details

Developer Jim Campbell envisions a tucked-away development with a

300-foot setback from residents to the south and a 150-foot buffer and across the street from western neighbors.

The single-story homes would be built to blend in with the neighborhood, he said, and would be priced in the upper $300,000s.

β€œI fully understand the angst about any development in Tucson, and that is why we have tried to be sensitive with appropriate setbacks and 65 percent natural desert open space,” Campbell said. β€œThe proposed layout is over 200 feet from any other house and allows for a natural desert buffer between the homes and the cemetery.”

That some residents would prefer he build out the whole parcel with only one house per acre surprised him.

β€œI haven’t seen that a lot in Tucson,” Campbell said. β€œMost people want the open space. We’re trying to do what we think is right.”

If he is able to get all the necessary permits, he hopes to break ground late next year.

Unique cemetery

All Faiths Cemetery is a unique property with people of multiple faiths buried there.

In addition to the Catholic section, the cemetery features Protestant, Jewish and Islamic sections.

The campus is home to Our Lady of the Desert Cemetery, Sha’arei Shalom Cemetery, Desert Vista Community Cemetery, Islamic Cemetery and Queen of all Saints Mausoleum.

The grounds are all-natural desertscape, without grass.

Crespo, from the diocese, said he hopes that as residents learn more about the details of the project, it will gain support.

β€œI think it’s going to be a benefit to the neighborhood and improve surrounding property values,” he said. β€œI feel certain that, as a steward of those properties, it’s what was best.”

Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today.

Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at grico@tucson.com