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Cottage Grove trustees withdraw village-initiated rezoning after nearby residents voice concerns
Summary
After residents raised questions about notice, traffic and why a family parcel was added late in the process, the Village of Cottage Grove board voted to withdraw its own application to rezone parcels from planned business to central business and to carry the matter into a future comprehensive-plan process for wider public input.
The Village of Cottage Grove Board of Trustees voted Feb. 2 to withdraw a village-initiated application to rezone several parcels from "planned business" to "central business" after nearby property owners raised objections.
Residents who spoke during public comment said they were surprised that a property at 616 North Main Street had been included in the rezoning after the death of the prior owner and said they had questions about notice and traffic. "This development is going to affect the whole village and not just this corner," said Catherine, an owner of the 616 North Main parcel, urging broader outreach before rezoning.
Planning staff and trustees told residents the change to the parcels was preliminary and that detailed development proposals, including any traffic-impact analysis, would come later at the project stage. Planning staff Aaron said the village had expanded outreach and met with affected property owners; he recommended delaying rezoning so it can be part of a comprehensive-plan amendment and broader visioning process later this year.
Trustee [Severson] moved to withdraw the application and Trustee Heidi (second) supported the motion; the board carried the motion by voice vote. Trustee Severson said he opposes eminent domain and would not vote to use it, responding directly to residents' concerns: "I've never liked eminent domain. I would never vote for eminent domain," he said.
Board members reiterated that current rules required notifying owners within a 400-foot radius of a proposed rezoning and that "grandfathered" uses could remain until a new owner sought a change in use. Staff said that the comprehensive-plan amendment and visioning work planned for late summer or fall will include a village-wide public engagement process to revisit land-use goals for the area.
Next steps: the board has withdrawn the village's application; if the village later decides to pursue rezoning it will refile and proceed with the expanded public-engagement and plan-amendment process.
