An Update on the Dr. Pierce Barn

[Brandon Spencer-Hartle]

For those following the permit request to demolish the National Register listed Dr. Pierce Barn, the application was heard at the Cottage Grove Historic Landmark Commission on Monday, April 18. With a staff report urging the delay of demolition, the Landmark Commission followed suit by unanimously voting to stay the granting of a demolition permit for 90 days.

Demolition or relocation of historic landmarks erodes the historic fabric of the City of Cottage Grove and shall be discouraged unless adverse circumstances require such actions -Cottage Grove Development Code Section 2.6.370

 

The HPLO submitted written testimony opposing granting a demolition permit for the barn on a number of grounds. Ultimately, the HPLO, Cottage Grove staff, and the members of the Landmark Commission came to the same conclusion: the application to demolish the barn meets none of the three review criteria needed to approve a demolition permit request for a National Register property.

That said, the barn isn't out of hot water. 

 

Within 90 days, the Cottage Grove Planning Commission will hold a hearing to consider the application for a second time. If the Planning Commission so decides, another 90 day demolition delay can be issued. At the end of those 90 days, the City Council then has the authority to delay the demolition for up to 210 additional days. As of now a Planning Commission hearing has not been set, but a number of groups in Cottage Grove are organizing their support for proposals that would save the barn. As soon as more information is available, we will post an update to the HPLO "Community" website. In the interim, contact the Cottage Grove Historical Society for ways to get involved with the preservation effort at a local level.