Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Outdoor Storage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves Lumbermans’ outdoor storage area at Cottage Grove Logistics Park
Summary
The Cottage Grove Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing Lumbermans Inc. to use about 54,500 sq. ft. of outdoor storage at 7701 Hundredth Street South in the Cottage Grove Logistics Park, with screening and other conditions from staff.
The Cottage Grove Planning Commission on Feb. 24 approved a conditional use permit allowing Lumbermans Inc. to establish an approximately 54,500-square-foot outdoor storage area at 7701 Hundredth Street South in the Cottage Grove Logistics Park.
Planning staff said the site is within the park’s approved master plan and is zoned I-1, where outdoor storage is allowed subject to a conditional use permit when it exceeds 5,000 square feet. Max Erickson, planning staff, told commissioners the applicant plans a 10-foot cedar fence and other screening to meet Title 11, Chapter 3, subsection 7E’s requirement that outdoor storage be completely screened by “a combination of fences, walls, earthen berms and/or landscaping.” Erickson also said the storage would be used to stage lumber, shingles, PVC and other building materials and that fencing would be designed to avoid damaging stormwater culverts beneath the paved area.
Charlie Cannon, representative for Northpointe Development, said existing fencing at Building 1 will be removed and some sections reused at Building 2; remaining material will be discarded and the asphalt at Building 1 repaired. Mark Vanderbent, representing Lumbermans, said the company expanded into the Minneapolis market last year and needs additional outdoor space to meet demand despite available indoor space.
Public testimony was not offered on the item. Commissioners who spoke during deliberations said they had not received complaints about previous outdoor storage at the company’s other Cottage Grove location and that the proposed screening and prior approvals made the request straightforward. Commissioner Fisher moved to approve the conditional use permit subject to the stipulations in the staff report; Commissioner Rasmussen seconded. The motion carried, 6-0.
The action authorizes Lumbermans to use trailer-parking area for the staged materials and requires the screening, fence details, and the other conditions listed in the staff report. The planning record notes the master plan and prior administrative CUPs as background; the commission did not add additional modifications beyond those in the staff recommendation.
The commission’s approval is an advisory action; the City Council will act on the item at its next meeting as part of the council’s regular review of planning commission recommendations.
