Santa Vera Forestry ReportMEMORANDUM
TO: Rachel Jeske, Planner
FROM: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist
DATE: August 4, 2025
SUBJ: Landscaping and Tree Preservation, Santa Vera Apartments
The applicant for the Santa Vera Apartments submitted tree canopy coverage and
preservation calculations. The submitted plans show that tree canopy to remain will not
meet canopy coverage requirements. Plans must include a forestation plan to bring the
total canopy coverage to the minimum requirement.
Total upland area (excl wetlands, bluff) 3.85 acres
Baseline canopy coverage 1.22 acres
Minimum canopy coverage required 0.77 acres or 20%
Proposed tree preservation 0.44 acres or 11%
The applicant must bring the canopy coverage on site up to the 20% minimum. The difference
between the required coverage and the remaining coverage is multiplied by 1.2 for total area to
be replaced. One tree is valued at 1,089 SF.
Minimum required 0.77
Less canopy preserved 0.44
Minimum canopy coverage to be replaced- 0.33
Multiplied by 1.2 0.39 acres or 17,249.8 sf
Divided by 1089sf= Total number of trees to be planted: 16
The applicant has submitted a landscape plan showing a total of 47 trees to be planted in the site
plan which exceeds canopy coverage requirements. The applicant shall adjust quantities to meet
diversity requirements. No more than 30% of the trees can be from one family, no more than
20% from the same genus and no more than 10% of the same species.
Parking lot requirements:
Any open vehicular use areas containing more than 6,000 square feet of area or 20 or more
parking spaces shall provide interior landscaping in accordance with Sec 20-1181 of City Code.
Applicant must provide square footage of vehicular use area within the parking lot planting area
requirement information in the plan set.
Buffer yard requirements:
Bufferyard ‘B’as defined in City Code Chapter 20-1176, plantings are required between the
development and Santa Vera Dr., Saratoga Dr. and Laredo Dr.
Bufferyard ‘A,’ as defined in City Code Chapter 20-1176, plantings are also required between
the proposed development and the school to the south.
Required
plantings/landscape
area
Proposed plantings
Bufferyard B – East
prop. line, 509’
4 Overstory trees
8 Understory trees
12 Shrubs
None proposed.*
Bufferyard B- North
prop. Line, - 209’
2 Overstory Trees
4 Understory trees
5 Shrubs
None proposed.*
Bufferyard B- NE
prop line- 228’
2 Overstory Trees
4 Understory trees
5 Shrubs
None proposed.*
Bufferyard B- West
prop. Line- 509’
4 Overstory trees
8 Understory trees
12 Shrubs
None proposed.*
Bufferyard A- South
Prop. Line 164’
1 Overstory tree
1 Understory tree
2 Shrubs
None proposed.*
• Requirements may be met by existing vegetation. If requirements are intended to be met
with existing vegetation, please note that on the plan.
Requirements:
1. Applicant must include the condition of all trees over ten inches in diameter as
part of the tree survey.
2. Applicant must update the quantities in the landscape plan to meet the diversity
requirements- no more than 30% of trees can be from one family, no more than
20% of the trees from the same genus and no more than 10% of the same species.
3. Applicant must include the total square footage of the vehicular use area in the
“parking lot planting area requirement” section of the plan set.
4. Applicant must include buffer yard calculations as part of the plan submittal. If
existing vegetation is intended to be used towards the buffer yard requirements,
then please note that on the site plan.
5. Applicant must include location of the tree preservation fencing on the plan set.
Tree preservation fencing shall be installed around existing trees to be saved prior
to any construction activities and remain installed until completion.
6. All trees must be planted on private property outside of the city’s right-of-way.