Commission clears Park Grove Library facelift and parking reconfiguration; one commissioner recuses

The Cottage Grove Planning Commission on Aug. 25 approved a site plan review for exterior and parking upgrades at Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Avenue. Commissioner Stuckman recused before the discussion and did not participate; the motion to approve passed 4-0.

The county-led project would add a second-story mechanical/mezzanine space above the front entry, remodel the front façade to simplified straight-line walls, and reconfigure parking from angled stalls to 90-degree stalls to increase on-site capacity. The project was presented by city staff and project manager Mandy Leonard representing Washington County.

Why it matters: The renovation is intended to implement the Washington County Library’s 2024–2028 strategic priorities by improving service delivery, expanding program space and enhancing accessibility and outdoor gathering areas at a neighborhood library in Cottage Grove.

Project details and findings - Zoning and use: The site is zoned R6 (high-density residential) where structures and services for local government purposes are a permitted use; the 2040 land-use map guides the property as mixed-use and lists libraries as a conditional use. - Parking: Staff reported 50 existing on-site spaces while 71 spaces are required under the code as it stands. By reconfiguring to 90-degree stalls and reducing building area through façade adjustments, the project will provide 68 stalls on-site; staff said that meets code with the proposed building footprint (68 required, 68 provided after reconfiguration). - Setbacks and sight lines: The north parking area will be moved from a 5-foot setback to a 20-foot setback to reduce nonconforming conditions. The proposed monument sign will be located outside the Clearview Triangle; landscaping in that corner will be maintained at 30 inches or less per code to preserve sight lines. - Pedestrian and public-realm improvements: The project includes new sidewalks, marked crosswalks, pedestrian refuges (bump-outs) and street-tree plantings on Hemingway Avenue. Staff noted that a separate Hemingway Avenue reconstruction project, coordinated with the library work, could add on-street parking and improve pedestrian access for the neighborhood. - Site amenities and programming: The plan adds a children’s story‑time berm with seating, a fenced children’s area, a west-side reading terrace, expanded learning lab/maker-space, gaming and teen space, and additional quiet study rooms. Project team members said they aim to preserve and add trees and natural features important to the Cottage Grove community.

Applicant timeline and public engagement Project manager Mandy Leonard said the team conducted extensive public outreach including online surveys and in-person meetings, and incorporated community preferences such as natural materials and more outdoor gathering areas. Leonard said the team expects to complete construction documents this fall, bid the project in November, begin demo and phased work in February and target completion by the following fall (applicant comment: “By November, be getting everything out to bid. And hopefully, February would be starting of, like, emptying out the library and starting demo … we'd like to be finished by the fall opening the following February in February 26.”).

Commission response, recusal and vote Commissioner Stuckman stated a conflict of interest related to a family tie and recused from discussion and voting; the commission continued with four members, maintaining quorum. Commissioner Britton moved approval of the site plan review subject to the conditions in the staff report; Commissioner Knoebel seconded. The motion passed 4-0.

Quotes Project manager Mandy Leonard told the commission, “We want it to be a space for people to meet, gather, and kind of join like communities to join together for us.” When asked about decorative text or features on the children’s berm, Leonard said the current image was conceptual: “It's just a graphic at this time. … That has not been finalized yet.”

Next steps The commission’s recommendation will go to the Cottage Grove City Council; staff noted the city council is scheduled to act on these items on Sept. 17, 2025. The project team will complete final construction documents and coordinate required public-right-of-way work with the city prior to construction.