Council approves Saratoga Springs cemetery site plan; updates and change orders approved for Evans cemetery landscaping

The Saratoga Springs City Council approved the preliminary plat and phase 1 site plan for the city-operated Saratoga Springs Cemetery May 20, clearing the way for an initial build-out that includes 1,371 gravesites and 265 cremation niches on a 20-acre property in Wildflower Village Plan 9.

Staff said the phase-1 site plan covers roughly 2.5 acres of the 20-acre parcel and includes a temporary office trailer on-site; a code amendment will be brought forward to allow placement of the trailer on cemetery property. Staff noted the phase-1 plan provides infrastructure to support future expansion as demand dictates, and council members asked about phasing, tree planting and parking (phase 1 shows four parking stalls consistent with similar cemetery operations in neighboring cities).

Parks staff introduced Colton Pert as the city’s new cemetery sexton; Parks Superintendent Rick and assistant supervisors also described Mr. Pert’s 13 years of cemetery operations experience with another city.

Separately, the council approved change orders for the Evans Greater Cemetery landscaping project that add costs primarily because a larger irrigation pump and three-phase electrical service are required to properly serve the planned landscape. Staff told the council that while residential service pressures existed, the landscaping plan demanded a pump not included in the original bid and that three-phase power would need to be extended to the site.

Council approved the cemetery site plan and the Evans change orders; staff said the temporary trailer will be refurbished for continued use after code amendments are approved and that utilities and pump installations will proceed under the approved change orders.