The Saratoga Cemetery District made a proactive $4.54 million purchase of a home adjacent to Madronia Cemetery to explore potential expansion, as they have been facing a land scarcity issue for the past several years. The board, led by general manager Steve Albright, feels an obligation to secure additional burial space in response to limited availability. Currently, the cemetery has enough land for burials for the next two decades, yet the acquisition of this new property could sustain operations for another six to seven years if needed, although immediate development is not planned, calming local residents' concerns.
Steve Albright, general manager of Madronia Cemetery, emphasized the responsibility of the district, stating, 'We feel like we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't make an offer on the land.'
Albright highlighted the urgency of acquiring land, noting the importance of planning ahead: 'Once we're out of land, we're out of land.'
The cemetery has had a long history, opening on two acres in 1863 and acquiring additional land over the years to manage burial needs.
The purchase of the house lands hasn't triggered immediate development plans, with Albright stating, 'There isn't a move by the cemetery district to rezone the parcel.'
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