Melissa Ratcliffe and partner Ed Ray told the Plan Commission on Nov. 12 they are proposing Near and Far Brewing, a community‑oriented brewpub and multi‑tenant building on Cottage Grove Road designed to serve families and cyclists as well as customers. Ratcliffe said she attended in a personal capacity as a Cottage Grove resident and described the venue as “a place where people want to come and hang out, and not just drink.”

Builder Brett Frizzell reviewed the concept plan, which places the building on the east side of the site with a south/east patio that overlooks the stormwater pond, a fenced dog area and an event space sized to accommodate up to about 100 people. The concept plan showed roughly 53 parking spaces for the brewpub and future tenant space, and a flexible 2,000‑square‑foot leasable space intended for daytime commercial use. Frizzell said civil engineering and final utility and stormwater details have not yet been completed.

Staff told the commission that the restaurant/brewery element will require a conditional use permit because it will serve alcohol. Commissioners asked about noise and hours; the proposers emphasized that the concept is a “community” brewpub rather than a late‑night bar and said they have no plans to operate to 2 a.m. They also described removing an earlier rooftop patio design for reasons of cost and accessibility, saying at‑grade patio space better supports universal access.

Concerns from commissioners focused on pedestrian and bicycle access from the adjacent bike path, delivery vehicle circulation and whether parking will be adequate during events. The proposers said they have considered a bike path connection to the building entrance, bike racks, and different driveway locations (including moving one entry to Limerick Drive) to maximize parking and circulation; they expect to finalize those details with civil engineering.

The team estimated a build schedule that could allow breaking ground in spring (after frost) and a 6–8 month build, with an opening targeted by the end of the following year, contingent on permitting and engineering.

No approvals were requested tonight; staff advised the proposers to pursue site plan review and a conditional use permit.