Cottage Grove City Council — Transcript
Monday, September 28, 2026
Accessory Structure Setback Variance (Lamar Garage)
Industrial Site Plan Review (Trade Home Shoes)
Self-Storage Facility Development (120th St. & Highway 61)
City Council Updates and Budget/Fire Department Discussion
Votes (3)
Lamar garage variance (Case V2026-029)
Dissent: One unidentified commissioner voted 'no'.
Moved by Commissioner Britain [0:20:25] · Seconded by Commissioner Kerner [0:20:38]
Staff presented an application for a 5-foot sideyard setback variance for a 24x24 ft detached garage, noting the property's narrow lot, existing home, septic field, and desire to protect mature trees. The applicant emphasized the practical need and desire for the garage to complement the neighborhood. A neighbor expressed opposition, concerned about setting a precedent and potential future difficulties with septic maintenance access due to the reduced setback. Commissioners discussed alternative garage configurations (tandem, single-car) but acknowledged the applicant's family needs and existing site constraints, ultimately supporting the variance as a reasonable use of the property given its unique characteristics.
Trade Home Shoes site plan (Case SP 2026-028)
Moved by Commissioner Steman [0:33:41] · Seconded by Commissioner Britain [0:34:36]
Staff presented a detailed site plan for Trade Home Shoes' new 165,000 sq ft corporate headquarters and distribution center on a 13-acre industrial parcel. The plan addressed extensive requirements for architectural materials, landscaping (including tree mitigation), parking (with proof of parking for future expansion), stormwater management, and traffic improvements (including trail construction and roadway widening on Jamaica Avenue). No public speakers voiced opposition, and commissioners lauded the project for its comprehensive planning and anticipated positive impact.
Self-storage facility (ZA, TA, SP, CUP 2026-030)
Moved by Commissioner Britain [0:50:52] · Seconded by Commissioner Bot [0:51:06]
Staff presented a multi-faceted application for a self-storage facility, including rezoning the property from B2 to B3, amending the city code to allow self-storage as a conditional use in B3, and removing a 300-foot buffer requirement from residential uses. The plan detailed three storage buildings, specific architectural and landscaping standards, parking, and fire access. Neighbors raised concerns about increased traffic on a residential street and the potential for new tree plantings to obstruct visibility at a busy intersection. The commission discussed the rationale for the B3 rezoning and text amendments, noting that other B3 uses could have greater impacts and staff confirmed the ability to implement traffic calming measures and ensure clear view triangles for trees.
Notable Quotes (12)
The variance is being requested to reduce the sideyard setback. A 20ft sideyard setback is required in the R1 district and the applicant is seeking a 5-ft minimum sideyard setback to the south property line.
The existing layout of the property, including the location of the house, septic system, driveway, utilities, and mature trees, makes it difficult to find another practical location for the two-car garage.
Putting a 5yard or 5T set back on there makes it hard to get equipment in the backyard to do anything about the septic in the future. So, I don't see this being a good for the city, good for the town.
I see that allowing the two-car garage with the variance would allow reasonable use of the property for the homeowner and you know if if we were going from scratch things might be a little bit different but um with the septic system and where it is I see it as a reasonable request uh for the variance.
The applicant is proposing to construct uh approximately 165,000 square feet um of building to serve as the Trade Home Shoes new corporate headquarters.
In alignment with trail plans outlined in the comprehensive plan, the developer will be responsible for designing and constructing an 8- foot wide Tuminous trail along the length of Jamaica Avenue.
It seems like Trade Home Shoes has really put in a lot of work to uh put together a really nice site plan here and I think that this is a sensible sensible plan, good location, and I think it'd be a welcome addition to uh the city of Cottage Grove.
The applicant has requested a zoning map amendment to reszone the property to B3, general business district. Currently, the property is zoned B2 where the intended uses are retail businesses and services, while the B3 district is intended to be for retail and highway or automobile oriented uses.
The second text amendment request is to remove the 300 ft buffer between residential uses and self- storage facilities.
We all had concerns when we heard about this going in with the amount of traffic that might come and go through a residential neighborhood entrance.
My only concern is the addition of trees that um are planned for it. Um, we've had many accidents coming in and out of 120th and when the trees all came down, it did give our neighborhood um, more of a viewable of 61 in the quickness that happens on there.
I've driven by a lot of storage facilities and I don't think I've ever seen traffic personally coming from them. A lot of times I wonder if they're being used.
Ordinances & Resolutions (20)
Case number for the Lamar garage variance application.
Current zoning district for the Lamar Avenue property, requiring a 20ft sideyard setback and minimum lot size of 3 acres.
Guidance from the comprehensive plan for the Lamar Avenue property.
Zoning district used for comparison of lot size and setback standards.
Case number for the Trade Home Shoes site plan review.
Current zoning district for the Trade Home Shoes site.
Guidance from the comprehensive plan for the Trade Home Shoes site.
City planning document referenced for trail plans and land use guidance.
City code section outlining tree mitigation requirements.
City code section requiring specific exterior materials for industrial districts.
City code section requiring screening for rooftop mechanical equipment.
Combined case numbers for zoning map amendment, text amendments, conditional use permit, and site plan review for the self-storage facility.
Current zoning district for the self-storage facility property.
Guidance from the 2040 comprehensive plan for the self-storage facility property.
Proposed zoning district for the self-storage facility, intended for retail and highway/automobile oriented uses.
Existing zoning district where self-storage facilities are currently allowed as a conditional use.
City zoning code section for performance standards for self-storage facilities.
City document evaluated and reviewed annually by the council for projects over five years.
Agreement with the City of St. Paul Park for utility services to the Geneva Meadows development.
Proposed developer agreement for the self-storage facility to ensure site maintenance and restrict certain activities.