by Shea Smith / photo taken from Google Maps
Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan is being considered for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Ben Chmiel is the Senior Planner in Manhattan’s Planning and Development Department.
“It’s being nominated because it’s a historic cemetery. It’s very unique in its layout and it’s very representative of cemeteries as they were being laid out at the time and it’s maintained its integrity,” he said.
“If you just walk around it, you can just feel that it’s historic.”
The designation, if awarded, would change how additions or alterations to the cemetery would work.
“Anytime you have a historic district, there are certain restrictions. Anything that requires a permit to be constructed or modified has to be reviewed, either by city administration or the Historic Resources Board. And that’s just because of state historic preservation law,” he said.
“Just to make sure that it’s going to be historically compatible and won’t damage or destroy anything historic. “
New graves themselves wouldn’t be restricted, however.
The City Commission will discuss the matter at their Sept 22 meeting.
Chmiel said the process could take about nine months to a year and a half if the cemetery ultimately goes through both the state and national processes.