Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning Central Business topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission approves rezoning parcels to Central Business to support future downtown vision
Summary
The Cottage Grove Plan Commission approved rezoning several parcels from Planned Business to Central Business at the village board's request, a preparatory step staff says will allow future redevelopment aligned with a downtown vision while grandfathering current residential uses.
The Cottage Grove Plan Commission voted Nov. 12 to approve a village-board request to rezone multiple parcels from Planned Business to Central Business. Staff said the rezoning is a precautionary, preparatory move to align future development with a downtown-style vision and that existing uses and residents would be grandfathered.
Staff told the commission the village already owns three of the parcels in the area and plans further public engagement and design work as part of a comprehensive-plan update and later developer solicitations. The village intends to issue an RFP to hire consultants for the comp-plan refresh and community design charrettes; any later RFP to solicit developers would define the village's preferred program and design standards. Staff repeatedly emphasized that rezoning does not require immediate redevelopment and does not force occupied residents from their homes.
Resident Cal Steiner (622 North Main Street) urged commissioners to consider the impact on the village's "front door" character and neighboring property values. Commissioners discussed the village's strategy of acquiring parcels to assemble a redevelopment site, how ownership would increase the village's ability to select a developer aligned with the community vision, and limits on using TIF for village facilities. Commissioners noted that rezoning helps preserve a consistent zoning framework for future redevelopment even if the village cannot acquire all parcels.
A motion to approve the rezoning as presented was made and seconded; the commission voted in favor and the motion carried. Staff said more detailed design work—including public workshops as part of the comp-plan update—will follow in coming months.
Next steps: the village will proceed with the comprehensive-plan update RFP, schedule public design and charrette events, and later issue an RFP to solicit developers consistent with the community vision if parcels are assembled.
