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Council approves ISD 833 Transition Building plan and impervious-surface variance for 7000 Jamaica Ave S
Summary
The Cottage Grove City Council approved a site-plan and variance allowing an 8,374 sq ft addition for ISD 833's Next Step program at 7000 Jamaica Ave S, permitting ~49% impervious surface (40% max) while staff said stormwater treatment and parking proposals meet requirements.
On June 4, 2025, the Cottage Grove City Council voted to approve a zoning-variance resolution and site-plan review allowing Independent School District 833 to convert the former Light the Way Church at 7000 Jamaica Avenue S into a consolidated Next Step transition program facility with an 8,374-square-foot addition.
Community Development Director Emily Schmitz described the proposal and the unique zoning request: the project would increase impervious surface coverage to about 49% where a 40% maximum typically applies. Schmitz said the applicant is meeting on-site stormwater treatment standards, proposing 65% class-1 exterior materials for a façade update, and planning landscaping that meets the city's disturbance coefficients. She also noted the site contains trees planted over a water main that the city wants removed to protect infrastructure.
Why it matters: The consolidated facility will bring two Next Step program locations into a single, purpose-updated building serving 18-to-21-year-old participants for life-skills and career training. Council members stressed student safety near the adjacent county road and considered the tradeoffs of preserving existing trees versus protecting underground water infrastructure.
Council discussion focused on supervision and stormwater. Councilor Rolston asked specifically about outside-space supervision and containment next to busy 70th Street; Nikki Locke, the Next Step program administrator, said the outdoor areas will have perimeter fencing and a high staff-to-student ratio, noting some students have 1:1 staffing and that Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams evaluate facility suitability for each student. On stormwater, the city's engineering/stormwater review staff confirmed the project must provide required on-site treatment for the added impervious area and that the proposal meets those requirements.
Project details and timeline in the record: the applicant proposes to keep the existing parking footprint (about 70 stalls versus an estimated requirement of ~20 for the program), provide bus parking, and restripe the lot. The applicant representative said bids were due the day after the meeting and the district hopes to begin construction in September 2025 with an opening targeted for fall 2026.
Motion and vote: Council Member Garza moved to adopt the resolution approving the variance, site plan review and conditional use for the 8,374-square-foot addition at 7000 Jamaica Avenue South; Council Member Claassen seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. The resolution was read on the record as "resolution 20 20 Five-eighty1." City staff will coordinate required tree removals over the water main and ensure stormwater and landscaping conditions are met as part of the permitting and construction process.
The project record will return to staff for final permitting steps and the district plans to proceed with bid evaluation and construction procurement.
