Chris Stoa

Housing Why is new housing so expensive? The answer is that construction costs have dramatically increase throughout the years. And while we cannot legislate the cost of construction materials, there are ways we can help lower the cost of building a new house. Taxes / Budget Cottage Grove should support and grow recreation, library, and other programming so that we can address the needs of our residents at every stage of life, from fostering a welcoming atmosphere for young families to providing support and amenities for our seniors. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Traffic calming techniques, such as roundabouts, speed tables, bump outs and more are ways to retrofit a street to encourage slower car speeds and make the roads safer for pedestrians, bikers, and motorists. Infrastructure / Transportation A good place to start would be to create and develop a dedicated downtown area. I have spearheaded a rezoning of the intersection at N and BB to a central business use, the first step in creating a dedicated walkable downtown area. Housing I am NOT saying that the answer to our problems is more apartment buildings. I am saying that there are nuances to development, and we have to take both short term and long term costs into consideration when guiding development in the Village. Infrastructure / Transportation We should also be working to prevent sprawl. I value Wisconsin farmland. To see it constantly annexed, dug up, and paved over for new development is heart wrenching. We need to re-examine the Village code to allow more infill development where we already have homes instead of always looking to the periphery (aka farmland) for answers. Economy Encouraging new business growth in Cottage Grove will enhance access to goods and services within the village. There are some real holes in the kinds of businesses in Cottage Grove, many of which are noted in the Chamber of Commerce's Market Study. We need to focus on reducing the necessity for residents to go elsewhere in search of their needs. Infrastructure / Transportation By siloing off all of the land uses - separating residences into one area, businesses into another, and keeping them apart- we create a community where you get in your car to drive from place to place instead of walking and seeing neighbors. We should create mixed-use zoning districts to foster areas that combine residential with commercial areas. Housing Even the design of our houses can help change this- big garages become the focal point instead of stoops and porches, places where neighbors can gather. We should create alley-loaded neighborhoods so that the people-centered area of homes is the focus, not the large car storage portions of the house. Economy Expanding businesses help defray the costs of growing service costs in the Village. By adding more businesses, we can expand the tax base, which can lower property taxes while also being able to maintain sufficient services in the Village, such as police, fire, and EMS services. Infrastructure / Transportation We need to do a better job of street design to encourage alternative modes of transportation and make the roads safer for everyone. Housing We need to increase the variety of housing options to accommodate the diverse needs of our residents. This will allow us to attract and retain a broader range of individuals and families. Diversifying housing options beyond just single family homes or apartment complexes ensures that Cottage Grove remains an accessible and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds, allowing the Village to be place where individuals and families can build lasting memories and call home for generations.. Housing We need to allow light-touch density housing (ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, etc) in single family zoning so that we can welcome new neighbors while preserving rural farming areas. Arts / Culture These programs provide avenues for residents of all ages to come together, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. An expansion of community programs caters to the diverse needs and interests of our residents. By fostering a sense of belonging and unity, these programs not only enhance the overall well-being of individuals but also contribute to the creation of a tight-knit, supportive community.