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Planning commission forwards Phase 1 site plan and preliminary plat for city cemetery
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the City Council approve the Phase 1 site plan and preliminary plat for the Saratoga Springs municipal cemetery (roughly 20 acres overall, Phase 1 ≈2.5 acres), a necessary step before the city may sell burial rights and operate the cemetery.
The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission voted unanimously May 15 to forward a positive recommendation to City Council for the Phase 1 site plan and preliminary plat for the municipal cemetery located within Wildflower Village 9.
Planner staff described the overall cemetery property as a single-lot subdivision of just over 20 acres previously dedicated to the city. The Phase 1 site plan covers approximately 2.5 acres at the south-central portion of the parcel and includes landscaping, internal access from a future street stub at Prairie Blue Drive, and space laid out for in-ground burial plots and cremation sites. Staff reported approximately 1,371 burial sites and about 265 cremation sites are planned for the overall cemetery property (figures in the staff report).
The Phase 1 proposal includes a temporary site office trailer. Staff noted temporary structures typically exceed the six-month allowance in city code and included a condition that a code amendment or exception would be required to allow the temporary trailer until permanent facilities are constructed.
Commissioners asked administrative questions about operations. Commissioner Kern asked whether the city will operate the cemetery; staff confirmed the cemetery is a city-operated site. On financials, staff deferred operational profitability and budget questions to City Council-level decisions. Commissioner Mann asked whether a pet memorial garden was being included; staff said specifics of Phase 1 did not include a pet cemetery and that future phases might be able to accommodate additional features.
After discussion, Commissioner Wildens moved to forward a positive recommendation to City Council with the conditions in the staff report; Commissioner Mann seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff noted the site is steep in places and that future development and roads will influence how soon work can proceed from the south access stub to further internal access in later phases.
