Plan commission approves Dolphin Swim Academy conditional use permit and site plan for new accessory building

The Cottage Grove Plan Commission on March 26 approved a conditional use permit for a group daycare and approved a site plan for a new accessory building at Dolphin Swim Academy, 1500 Landmark Drive.

The permit allows the owner to build an approximately 2,700-square-foot building adjacent to the existing swim school for use as a daycare/summer-camp space for children who attend the swim academy and, when not in use, to rent the space to the public as a community room. The commission also approved a site plan for an approximately 3,000-square-foot accessory building with the conditions set forth by staff.

Planner Aaron (staff) summarized the land-use classification as a daycare permitted as an accessory use to an established principal use. Aaron recommended one condition clarifying that the conditional use permit applies only to the current business and that a change of ownership would require reconsideration of the permit. Architect Andrea Ring described the project and site layout: "This new building will be approximately 2,700 square feet" and said the design includes a drop-off loop and an ADA stall leading to an accessible sidewalk to the main entry.

Ty from Strand Engineering reviewed engineering comments online and suggested sanitary lateral best practices and a pedestrian connection between the two buildings. He recommended straight sanitary lateral runs where feasible and said that if bends remain, cleanouts would be required at those bends. Ty also asked that the applicant provide stormwater and erosion-control details for Strand's review prior to issuing a disturbance permit.

Owner Britney Balwig explained that doors on the east side of the existing building must remain locked for pool security, which is why the pedestrian connection would route south to the main entrance. Britney confirmed the dumpster is located in a gated enclosure in the southeast corner of the site.

Commissioners discussed landscaping items from the original building that staff recommended be completed now, pedestrian access between buildings, and the site's regional stormwater treatment. Commissioner comment noted the Commerce Park generally uses a regional detention basin because soils in the area do not meet on-site infiltration requirements.

A motion to approve the conditional use permit with staff conditions carried by voice vote. A separate motion to approve the site plan with staff conditions also carried by voice vote. The motions did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes.

The commission directed the applicant to submit the requested engineering details and finalize any outstanding landscaping and stormwater documentation during the site-plan review and before issuance of permits. The approvals are limited to the current business and parcel; any change in ownership would require a new review.

The commission moved on to other agenda items following the approvals.