03-29-2016
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
March 29, 2016
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday, March
29, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Commission Members Scott Kerssen, Brian Hunke, Matt McNeil, Gary Newhouse,
Mike Tait, Emily Wallace-Jackson and James Warden. Also present was City Planner Jason
Lindahl.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kerssen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ADOPT AGENDA
Commissioner McNeil moved, Commissioner Tait seconded, to adopt the agenda. The motion
was approved unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Tait moved, Commissioner Hunke seconded, to approve the minutes of the
February 23, 2016, regular meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM: Request by the City of Hopkins for a Text Amendment Related to Subdivision
Regulations (2016-09-TA)
Mr. Lindahl reviewed the application to amend Section 500 of the City Code related to waiver of
plat standards. He explained that the amendment, which was initiated by staff, allows the
platting process to be done administratively and waives the public hearing step. Mr. Lindahl
stated that a prior change in 2014 allowed consolidation of plats to be handled administratively.
The Commission raised questions about the elimination of the public hearing requirement for
administrative subdivisions and the waiver of plat processes and discussed other ways to notify
the public and let their concerns be voiced. Mr. Lindahl stated that the recommendation to
eliminate the requirement for a public hearing would apply only to a limited number of
applications that conformed to all the zoning requirements and would modernize and streamline
the process for residents and property owners. Commissioner Tait discussed the potential loss of
an easement between buildings. In response to a question from the Commission, Mr. Lindahl
stated that the difference between the current and proposed processes to be completed is 60 days
currently vs. 25-30 days at most with the proposed, streamlined process.
Public Hearing: Chair Kerssen opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. No one came forward to
speak. Commissioner Tait moved, Commissioner Newhouse seconded, to close the public
hearing. The motion was approved unanimously. The public hearing closed at 7:14 p.m.
Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes, March 29, 2016 – Page 2
Commissioner Newhouse moved, Commissioner Tait seconded, to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2016-09, recommending the City Council approve an ordinance amending Section
500 of the City Code related to waiving of plat standards. The motion was approved 6-1, with
Commissioner McNeil voting nay.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM: 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Process
Mr. Lindahl gave the Commission an overview of the process for updating the Comprehensive
Plan. He stated that the significant changes in this plan will be the creation of goals that are
more measurable and the increased connectivity of all components. The Planning Commission
will ultimately hold a public hearing and make a recommendation on the Plan. Mr. Lindahl’s
presentation included the following ideas:
Creation of a task force including diverse groups (ambassadors) already in existence and
the Commission’s role relative to it
Economic development plan for downtown
Public engagement, i.e., Pecha Kucha event; existing events; through technology and
social media
Mr. Lindahl presented the following timeline:
2016: Consult with City Council and advisory boards; form internal team led by Planning
department; hire consultant for technological parts of plan; soft launch of public
engagement process in summer.
2017: Task force will create timeline for 2017 work and complete first draft.
2018: Finish final draft and submit to surrounding cities and communities for comments for
period of six months.
2018: Planning & Zoning public hearing and recommendation followed by City Council
approval.
The Commission had the following comments:
The plan should have geographic balances; and every neighborhood should be included
Best way to get representation is go to where people live, schools, make people
comfortable, be informal, social media
Consider financial impacts of different land uses
Ask what is unique about Hopkins in addition to “What do you like?”
Make plan vital
Understand we don’t know the future—don’t box in, make it malleable
Plan should be broad; have everyone’s perspective
Should expansion of downtown be discussed?
The Comp Plan will cover many different topics, so the task force should be diverse and more
than just the Planning & Zoning Commission. Several Commissioners stated they would like the
Commission to be very engaged. Mr. Lindahl stated that he anticipates giving monthly updates
on the Plan to the Commission.
Planning& Zoning Commission Minutes, March 29, 2016 – Page 3
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Staff met with Minnetonka staff to develop Shady Oak zoning standards. The goal is to review
and develop with the Commission by the end of the year.
ADJOURN
Commissioner McNeil moved, Commissioner Newhouse seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The
motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shannon Smith