Cottage Grove approves plans for new police station and townhouse project

The Cottage Grove Plan Commission convened on February 12, 2025, to discuss several key developments impacting the community, including a proposed townhouse project and a new police station.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding access rights to a property owned by the Friends of the Library. Concerns were raised about future access if the property changes ownership. Commission members debated the implications of requiring private access between properties, noting potential complications and the risk of creating undevelopable "islands" of land.

Next, the commission addressed a proposed 114-unit townhouse project by CR DevCo DBA Heyday. The developers clarified that while they are not commercial developers, they have allocated space for commercial development on the site, which they plan to sell to interested parties. Some commission members expressed a preference for commercial development to occur before or alongside residential projects, citing concerns about high rental prices and the impact on families trying to transition from renting to homeownership.

A motion was made to approve the townhouse project, but it faced opposition. A suggestion to incorporate a stone exterior for the units along Cottage Grove Road was also discussed. Ultimately, the motion failed with a vote of 3-4.

Following this, the commission considered a certified survey map (CSM) to split the parcel into two lots and one outlot. Despite some confusion regarding access conditions, the CSM was approved with a 4-3 vote.

The meeting concluded with a proposal for a new police station, which would be a 27,000 square foot facility located at the northeast corner of Progress Road and Bonney. The commission began reviewing the site plan, with further discussions anticipated in future meetings.

Overall, the meeting highlighted ongoing development challenges in Cottage Grove, particularly balancing residential and commercial growth while addressing community needs. The commission will continue to evaluate these projects in upcoming sessions.