Cottage Grove approves Lockridge zoning change and preliminary plat for 183-unit subdivision amid trail dispute

The Cottage Grove City Council on Feb. 19 adopted Ordinance No. 1093 to rezone about 72 acres from Ag2 (agriculture) to R4 (Transitional Residential) and approved a preliminary plat for the Lockridge subdivision that would create 99 single-family lots and 84 townhome units.

The council's actions followed a staff presentation and an extended public discussion about a planned recreation trail around Lake Robert. Senior planner Samantha Pierrot told the council the proposal covers three parcels totaling approximately 72 acres and that the developer, Pulte Homes of Minnesota, proposes a mix of single-family and townhome units under the R4 district. “The request encompasses 3 parcels totaling approximately 72 acres currently zoned Ag2 Agriculture, to change to R4 Transitional Residential District,” Pierrot said.

Why it matters: The approval advances a large residential project and obligates the city to future design and construction decisions for a loop trail around Lake Robert. Neighbors said portions of the planned trail would run within a few feet of existing rear property lines, and they urged the council to choose a route that preserves privacy, minimizes tree removal and avoids costly boardwalk construction.

Project details and developer commitments - Size and units: The plat covers about 72.18 acres and proposes 99 single-family lots and 84 townhome units (183 total dwelling units). - Density: Staff said the proposal yields about 3.2 units per acre, within the comprehensive-plan range for “low-density residential” (2–4 units per acre), comparable to recent nearby projects cited by staff. - Access and traffic: Jamaica Avenue currently carries roughly 4,200 trips per day and was designed for about 15,000. Staff estimated Lockridge would add about 1,500 trips per day, raising the corridor to approximately 5,700 trips. The developer must construct turn lanes at Ravine Parkway and deposit escrow for a future northward trail segment; the county plans a Jamaica Avenue rebuild with additional turn lanes around 2028. - Stormwater and wetlands: Staff said the design must not increase the 100-year high-water elevation of Lake Robert; stormwater will be managed with ponds and storm sewers and the developer must meet city and watershed phosphorus-control requirements. - Construction constraints: Bedrock and wetlands reduce buildable area and may require excavation or blasting to install utilities; staff said blasting is a common construction practice in the city and would be handled with standard engineering oversight.

Trail debate and alternatives Staff presented three alignment options for the recreation trail around Lake Robert: the original “red” alignment that runs close behind existing homes, a “blue” alignment that would tie into an existing sidewalk stub at 60th Seventh Street Court South, and a “green” option that would rely on a boardwalk through wetlands. Staff said boardwalks can cost up to six times more per linear foot than bituminous trails and are harder to maintain; staff said in some places they prefer routing the trail around wetland buffers to avoid wetland credits.

Several residents who live near the lake told the council they were not informed or did not expect a trail within 10–15 feet of their property lines and said the change would reduce privacy and require removal of mature trees. Jason Johnson told the council, “We were told...there was not going to be a trail back there.” Crystal Rogers said, “We would be significantly impacted if that red line proposal went in because 3 sides of our home would be visible.” Mike Miller urged the city to improve lake water quality before promoting the route as a destination.

Staff and council responses City staff said the blue alignment ties to an existing sidewalk that was constructed as part of the Waters at Michael’s Point development and that Outlot E was designed to connect to that stub; staff noted the blue connection would already be built in large part and that relinking the stub would be a practical alternative. Parks and planning staff also said they would work with individual homeowners about screening — for example, coniferous plantings on city property or negotiated plantings on private property — and that the city would not accept Outlot A until any personal property on it was removed.

Council action and next steps - Ordinance No. 1093 (rezoning to R4): motion by Councilmember Thiede; second by Councilmember Garza; motion carries (vote not read aloud). - Resolution 2025-520 (preliminary plat for Lockridge): motion by Councilmember Garza; second by Councilmember Thiede; motion carries 4–1.

Staff noted the preliminary-plat approval does not finalize the trail alignment or detailed construction plans. The final plat and permitting phases will include additional engineering review, possible changes to the trail alignment and additional opportunities for staff to negotiate screening or adjustments with homeowners.

Residents, staff and several council members signaled interest in continuing to explore the blue-stub alternative and in tree-preservation and screening measures before final approvals, while others emphasized the city’s long-standing plan to provide a continuous trail around Lake Robert.

Ending: With preliminary approvals completed, the developer may proceed toward final plat and engineering submittals; the council and staff said they expect further review of trail alignment, tree mitigation, wetlands permitting and construction details before building begins.