Plan Commission approves zero-lot-line splits for duplexes on East School Road

Village of Cottage Grove Plan Commission members recommended approval Wednesday of two zero-lot-line applications to split existing duplexes on East School Road, increasing the number of individual lots while leaving the existing buildings in place. Aaron, planning staff, told commissioners the two proposals — affecting addresses 101 and 103 East School Road and 105 and 107 East School Road — had previously received utility commission sign-off and had been approved in 2013 but were never recorded. He said the current applications would split two existing single-lot duplexes into four separate parcels and that the approval is conditioned on recording a maintenance agreement with the Register of Deeds. The nut graf: The commission acted by voice vote to recommend approval of both zero-lot-line applications after staff confirmed conditions intended to preserve utility separations and clarify maintenance responsibilities. In discussion, staff noted a plumber had signed off that the units have separate water and sewer laterals; if separate laterals were not present, applicants would need to execute a different agreement. Commissioners asked whether the village should be more cautious about repeated lot-splitting and the long-term implications for multi-tenant sites; staff replied these requests come in both directions (splitting and combining) and that prior approvals sometimes predate recording. Formal actions: Commissioners approved both applications by voice vote. The commission recommended approval of the application from the Stephen T. Bridal Revocable Trust to split the duplex at 101 and 103 East School Road into two parcels, conditioned on recording the maintenance agreement and verification of separate water and sewer laterals. Commissioners also recommended approval of the application from McFarland Meadows LLC to split the duplex at 105 and 107 East School Road into two parcels with the same conditions. Votes were taken by voice; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes. The meeting record shows no public opposition on Zoom or in person for either application. Staff said the utility commission had approved both items earlier that evening and that recording the maintenance agreement with the Register of Deeds remained the outstanding condition. No additional conditions or amendments were added by the commission. Ending: The plan commission moved on to a separate agenda item on potential subdivision ordinance amendments; the lot-split approvals will proceed with the recorded maintenance agreements before any change in parcel status is finalized.