A big item of business that will guide the Cottage Grove’s future growth was passed unanimously by the city council at its meeting last Wednesday night.

The 2040 comprehensive Plan is just that: Comprehensive. City staff have worked diligently to update the 2030 plan since 2016, and the council action came after review of a 340-page document that has been compiled to support the plan.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Mayor Myron Bailey.

Ben Boike, Community Development Director, took over to highlight the plan. He said the process started with the hiring of a consulting group to help the city and to reach out for public participation. A steering committee consisting of 22 residents was formed by the county, and a committee looked at future housing possibilities. In addition, of course, standing city panels like the Planning Commission, Parks Commission, the Environmental Commission, Public Safety and Historic Preservation had a significant hand in forming the plan.

“Through the feedback gathered during that public participation process, a draft of the plan was reviewed in May 2018 by the Planning Commission, which included a public hearing and recommended approval of the draft plan,” said Boike. “Then in August 2018, the City Council authorized distribution of the plan to adjacent communities and affected agencies and receiving that feedback, some revisions were made.”

The main challenge to the plan was worked through by staff upon feedback by the Metropolitan Council, regarding planning for Gray Cloud Island. The council guides planning for the Twin Cities Metro area.

The 17-member Metropolitan Council “Brings together communities to develop policies and a shared vision and direction for the region,” its mission states.

“The biggest issue highlighted by Met Council staff related to the proposals was on the proposed land use on Gray Cloud Island,” said Boike.

The council noted that the 1994 Washington County Gray Cloud Island Regional Park Master Plan identified the majority of the island as parks and open space. City planning staff were able to work with the Metropolitan Council for a different planning scope on the island.

“After several discussions with Met Council, Met Council did agree on transitional planning and rural residential for the majority of the island,” said Boike.

Two park areas purchased by Washington County will remain as parks and open space under the 2040 plan.

“On July 1, the plan was deemed complete by Met Council and was forwarded to the Met Council Comneighbors, munity Development Committee as well as its Environmental Committee in early to mid-August and was formally approved by the Metropolitan Council on Aug. 26,’ said Boike.

“So, with that, staff is again excited and is recommending that the city council adopt the attached resolution, formally adopting the 2040 Cottage Grove Comprehensive Plan,” Boike.

Council members were impressed by city planning work on the project.

“The Comprehensive Plan is a big deal. It’s a really big deal. It is the guiding document for our community and frankly the entire metro area,” said council member Justin Olsen. “It’s a lot of work, and I want people to understand that the Comprehensive Plan is a puzzle, and all of the pieces have to fit perfectly before the Met Council signs off on it. That means that we have a development plan. Our neighbor to the north has a development plan. We have to ensure that the two come together with all the various pipes and all the various transportation infrastructure.”

“Awesome work by our staff having to go back to the Met Council several times on Gray Cloud Island,” said Olsen. “The reason I bring up Gray Cloud Island is because it has been an item of contention for some time with the vision that the City of Cottage Grove has for that piece of property or that area, as opposed to some of the and therefore the puzzle didn’t quite come together the way we hoped.”

One issue with the island is that mining is still being done there into the future by Aggregate Industries, and there are various other property owners on the island also.

“There are all kinds of pieces to that puzzle,” said Boike. “In 1994, most of the island was park. It was agreed that a transitional plan is the best-suited use. Aggregate is going to be on the island for some years to come still. The city and Washington County will work on a revised master plan. We can refine what the plan is for the island going forward.”

Added Bailey, “We do want park amenities, and we want significant park amenities down there. We don’t want it to be all park.”

He noted also that the bridge in that area needs to be replaced in coming years.

“We do have a fractured bridge. The bridge isn’t going to fall. We have many fractured bridges throughout the state. Eventually that bridge will have to be replaced,” he said.

One resident commented at the meeting that some maps within the plan need to be updated for current residential developments, and staff assured that person it was going to be done. Comprehensive Plan

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With that, the plan was adopted and will be the document guiding Cottage Grove growth for at least the next decade.

In other business: Kudos to staff – Council member La Rae Mills credited the city staff for its hard work.

The various departments work hard for planning into the future and do a great job of staying in touch with the community.

On public works, she said, “They do the magic in our city. They get the water to our house.

“They get the sewer out. Magically, somehow the roads get plowed. I can tell you our public works crew worked really hard. They were prepared. They had everything ready to go. They sent their elves out and we had the roads cleared and everything ready to go overnight,” said Mills.

She also pointed out that October is Depression Awareness Month, and Washington County has services available. They can be reached at 651-275-7400.

“If anyone needs it or a family member needs it, they are available 24 hours a day,” she said.

On the snowfall, Olsen added -Mayor’s Message “Please be respectful of each other,” he said. “Whether it’s on social media or in person, you name it.”

Bailey was referring to election debates.

“Everybody may have their own opinion of who they’re supporting or not supporting,” he said. “I guess the great news is we have free speech. I’m not saying we can’t speak but be respectful.”

Bailey also touched on breakins in the city.

“It’s not just Cottage Grove. It’s happening all over the Twin Cities,” he said. “Unfortunately, we aren’t immune to it here in Cottage Grove.”

He urged citizens to make sure their vehicles are locked.

“Based on what I know, 90-plus percent of cars that had items stolen were unlocked,” he said. “The second thing is don’t leave valuables in your car. That’s a setup for disaster.”

He urged residents to contact police if they see something suspicious.

Halloween is Saturday – Bailey said the “city does not take a stance one way or the other on trick-ortreating.”

“There are people that are going to do it,” he said. “If you do, use your discretion. Wear masks bring hand sanitizer. The fact of that matter is if you want to go out trick-or-treating, do it safely.”

He noted that people inviting trick-or-treaters will generally leave lights on to signify that.