COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JANUARY 25, 2017 3A
The 'New School' clears planning hurdle
The new school's height variance was approved by the Cottage Grove Planning Commission, paving the way for
construction and the installation of a winning art piece on the front vestibule as pictured above.
BY CAITLYN MAY
cmay@cgsentinel.com
When the former Harrison Elementary
School was demolished 13 years ago, it was
always the intention of the school district
to place another building on the property
at some point. And as Amanda Ferguson of
planning told the Cottage Grove Planning
Commission, that point is now.
The project, which won bond approval
by the voters in November, came before
the planning board on Jan. 17 to request ap-
proval for a conditional use permit and site
plan review; both of which were dependent
on the commission’s approval of a height
variance.
“The application was originally submitted
as a conditional use permit and a site plan
review,” Ferguson said. “While reviewing
those applications we realized that they also
needed to apply for a variance because the
building is substantially higher than allowed
in the residential district.” City code calls
for buildings in the area to fall in line with
a maximum height of 28 feet. However, the
proposed school building came in at 44.5
feet. While the new school was described as
being similar in height to the old Harrison
Elementary, a variance was still required.
“Because of its use as an elementary
school which has specifi c needs that are
very different than single family homes,
which makes sense as a 28 feet maximum
height while a school, it does not,” Ferguson
said. The planning staff recommended to
the commission that variance be approved.
The vote passed unanimously. Had it failed,
the board would not have been able to move
forward with the site plan review and condi-
tional use permit.
Ferguson explained to the commission
that schools in the area are always consid-
ered conditional use but noted that the code
for the city had changed dramatically since
the old Harrison Elementary school was
built, which was refl ected in the application
for the current conditional use permit.
“We are considering it a new development
even though they are partially redeveloping
the site,” Ferguson said. While plans for the
new development included demolishing all
structures on site other than the early edu-
cation building and community pool, staff
still categorized the development as new
and noted that the school district would be
redeveloping nine acres for the school.
The 89,000 square foot building will
serve 650 students at its peak but according
to a traffi c analysis, no added congestion is
expected. Ferguson did note however, that
the traffi c analysis suggested the addition of
a new stop sign on 10th and Taylor, making
it a three-way stop.
The district will also have to improve the
streetscape along Taylor including adding
bicycle lanes and widening portions of the
street.
The driveway located at the community
pool will be improved and a second fi re hy-
drant will be added to the area.
Ferguson did say that there were “many”
conditions of approval for the applications
that included ADA upgrades, which would
also be made by the city of Cottage Grove.
The addition of sidewalks and several fi re
safety requirements were included.
Under fi re code the height of the building
caused different mandates that were reme-
died in the conditional use permit by adding
a wider turning range in the driveway, los-
ing parking on the south side of Taylor and
dropping existing power lines down.
Before the planning commission moved
to approve the applications, Ferguson added
that there was one more condition.
“We’re asking that the school district
work with the city to pursue the extension
of Gateway Blvd.” She said. The city has
already been purchasing property for well
over two decades to make an extension of
Gateway with the intention of connecting
the street to Cleveland St. to create a loop
around the city.
The planning commission approved the
applications with several members of the
community stepping forward to thank the
city for its cooperation with the South Lane
School District on the project.
The new school is expected to open in
2018.
2017
Cottage Theatre presents
A fantastical high-seas adventure to Neverland
Oregon Department of Transportation Public Hearing/Open House (STIP)
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Lane County ACT Open House
4:30-5:15pm;
followed by Lane County ACT Meeting
5:30- 7:00pm
Lane County Public Works Complex
A Play by Rick Elice • Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and
3040 N Delta Hwy, Eugene, OR, Goodson Conference Room
Ridley Pearson • Music by Wayne Barker Directed by Tony Rust
The open house will feature maps to view and handouts about selected projects.
ODOT staff will be on hand to answer questions and take comments. There will be
comment cards available to leave comments regarding specifi c projects.
The meeting is open to the public for comment.
To view or comment on this document, please visit:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/STIP/STIP/DRAFT_STIP_18-21.pdf.
You can also contact the Region 2 STIP
and Financial Plan Manager John Maher at Ph. 503-986-2614
or his email address: John.D.MAHER@odot.state.or.us.
Accommodations will be provided to persons with disabilities.
To request an accommodation,
please call John Maher the Region 2 STIP and Financial Plan Manager.
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
Draft 2018 to 2021 STIP for Public Review
February 3–19
Fun for the whole family!
Sponsored by:
Tickets available online, by phone, or at the door one hour before performance
Thursday−Saturday 8:00 pm; Sunday 2:30 pm. $25 Adult, $15 Youth (age 6−18)
With an extra 2:30 pm Saturday matinee on February 18
541-942-8001 • 700 Village Drive • Cottage Grove
www.cottagetheatre.org