Planning panel backs rezoning and restoration plan for Cedarhurst Mansion; applicant proposes event venue and atrium addition

The Cottage Grove Planning Commission voted 5-0 on July 28 to recommend City Council approval of zoning amendments, historic conditional-use permits (HCUP) and a site plan allowing restoration and reuse of the Cedarhurst Mansion at 70 Eighth Street as an events venue. The applicant, Bella Gala, proposes an addition described as an atrium, utility connections to city sewer and water, restored gardens and a mix of paved and reinforced-grass parking.

Staff planner Emily (last name not provided) told the commission the project seeks to align the mansion parcel with the city's 2040 comprehensive-plan guidance (mixed use) and to rezone the adjacent gardener's cottage parcel to R-3 (single-family residential) while placing both parcels on the local historic register and authorizing joint use under an HCUP.

The applicant's representative, JJ Malitzky of Bella Gala, described plans to rehabilitate interior and exterior features, preserve the rose garden and great lawn, install an atrium addition of roughly 4,000 square feet to host receptions, bring the building up to accessibility and fire-safety standards, and phase other site improvements. Malitzky said Bella Gala would keep most parking as turf-reinforced green surface with about two dozen paved spaces and provide overflow, valet and shuttle options when events require them.

Staff said the project will connect to existing city water and sewer in 60 Ninth Street, abandon the on-site septic and cap the well, and place an easement over the private utility alignment because the service runs across the gardener's-cottage parcel. Assistant City Engineer Crystal Raleigh told the commission the stormwater pond proposed east of the new parking will manage all additional impervious area added by the parking, driveway widening and the atrium roof, and that infiltration is not permitted because the site is within a wellhead-protection area.

Staff noted standards for historic work were developed with a consultant (New History) and that the applicant has applied to the State Historic Preservation Office for state historic tax credits. The Advisory Commission on Historic Preservation recommended the proposal 5-0 at its June meeting, and the applicant reported a July 15 neighborhood meeting attended by about 30'40 residents; staff said attendees generally left supportive.

The commission and staff discussed vehicle access on Seventieth Street, noting Seventieth and Keats Avenue are county roads and that alignment of the mansion driveway with Jorgensen Avenue was coordinated with the county to improve traffic flow. City staff said the county has authority over changes to county road access but will continue to work with the city if future traffic or safety concerns arise. Commissioners asked that staff retain flexibility to evaluate additional access or turn-lane changes later if warranted.

Conditions in the staff report require a 20-foot emergency-drive width through parts of the site, preservation of mature trees where feasible, a stormwater management plan consistent with city standards, and limitations on outdoor amplified music and hours of operation. Staff summarized the proposed hours as ending at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight on weekend nights; amplified outdoor music would not continue past those hours. The commission added no additional restrictions but asked staff to carry detailed conditions forward to Council.

Commissioners praised the preservation focus and the applicant's restoration plans. After discussion, the commission voted to recommend approval of the rezoning, the HCUPs and the site plan review, subject to the conditions in the staff report. The vote was recorded as 5-0 in favor.

If City Council follows the commission's recommendation, the project will proceed to final engineering and building permits and to the state historic-tax-credit review process described by the applicant. The applicant indicated a construction timeline that could start late in 2025 with phased interior and exterior work through 2026.