IV.2. Minutes of the January 17, 2017 City Council and Minnetonka Joint Meeting ProceedingsCITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Special Joint Work Session of the Hopkins
City Council and Minnetonka City Council was held on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at
5:30 p.m. in the Raspberry Room at Hopkins City Hall, 1010 First Street South,
Hopkins.
Hopkins Council Present:
Katy Campbell, Mayor Molly Cummings, Jason Gadd,
Kristi Halverson, Aaron Kuznia
Minnetonka Council Present:
Dick Allendorf, Patty Acomb, Bob Ellingson, Brad
Wiersum, Mayor Terry Schneider
Hopkins Staff:
City Manager Mike Mornson, Planning and
Development Director Kersten Elverum, Assistant City
Manager Ari Lenz, City Planner Jason Lindahl
Minnetonka Staff:
City Manager Geralyn Barone, City Planner Loren
Gordon, City Attorney Corrine Heine, Community
Development Director Julie Wischnack
Mayor Cummings and Mayor Schneider welcomed everyone as the cities continue the
great partnership and collaborative efforts working on a plan for both communities.
Shady Oak Station Area Joint Planning Discussion
City Planner Gordon and City Planner Lindahl gave an overview of the staff report
reviewing the zoning approach for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) Shady
Oak Station Area and the strategies within the zoning district on how to develop
framework to support development regulations, architectural standards and joint
powers. Staff gave an overview of two joint planning structures for review by the Council
Members. Mr. Lindahl discussed the components, pros and cons of the Joint Planning
Commission (JPC); an advisory board that would review projects in the Shady Oak
Station area. The JPC would be made up of 6 members, 3 from each city. The Council
for the city in which the project is located would take final action. Mr. Gordon discussed
the details of the Joint Approval Board (JB), a new body that would be able to act
quickly and with authority. Staff discussed the reasons why they prefer the simpler,
streamlined Joint Approval Board approach. The next steps in the process are to
prepare a draft agreement for review and the final zoning ordinance to reflect the joint
planning structure.
City Manager Mornson asked how many acres in the zoning district and in each city. Mr.
Gordon commented that there are 200 acres, 96 acres in Minnetonka and 104 acres in
Hopkins.
Council Member Wiersum commented that the JB would be developer friendly with less
process but the City of Minnetonka has increased the process over the years and the
JB would move in the opposite direction. Council Member Wiersum commented that the
1
CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017
area will attract development and that the cities need to be mindful to get resident input
but still keep the process streamlined.
Council Member Allandorf commented that the current system for development works
well and that he would recommend the JPC process, stating there is no advantage to
hurry the process. A minority of Council Members would be making a decision for the
majority of the Council in the JB process and it is a beneficial to get input from other
Council Members. The JB process is not the Council representation that citizens expect.
Council Member Acomb appreciates the planning system and community feedback that
is currently used. The JB would be an additional large time commitment.
Council Member Campbell discussed the length of terms for commission members. City
Attorney Heine commented that the board or commission structure could be set up with
longer terms. There was discussion about the make up of commission members and to
be mindful of the additional involvement and workload. Mayor Cummings commented
that it is important that members understand development and be made up of members
who are already vested in a Zoning & Planning Commission.
Council Member Gadd commented that the area is a unique opportunity to bring two
cities together and he likes going with something that has not always been done.
Council Member Gadd commented on the importance of maintaining public
engagement in the process.
Council Member Halverson prefers to leave the final decision to elected Council
Members rather than a few board members.
Council Member Kuznia commented on the importance of developing the 200 acres and
that each Council representing their community should take the final action.
Council Member Ellingson commented on the importance of communication between
the two cities and that the minority should not be making a decision for the entire city
and that each Council Member has an obligation to vote. It is a significant development
area and would benefit from the Joint Planning Commission process.
Mayor Cummings recommended the JPC because each City Council should have a
final say in the process and speed should not be a priority.
Mayor Schneider commented that it is important to have a cohesive and overall plan
that both communities share. The Councils should have a joint meeting concurrently
voting on the ordinance so both Councils are on the same page. Concept Review Plans
for the area should be presented at a joint meeting so both Councils could comment,
review the plan, hear staff recommendations and accept public input. Developers are
accustomed to this process. The formal approval would be up to the city where the
project is located unless the project straddles both cities.
2
CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017
There was consensus to the following process:
Adopt the zoning ordinance at a joint meeting with both Councils so all are on the
same page.
Concept Review Plans are presented at a joint meeting of both City Councils.
The Joint Planning Commission is made up of members from both cities.
There is formal approval by the City Council of the jurisdiction where the project
is located unless the project straddles both cities.
There was discussion about the number of members on the JPC, appointing members
of the current Zoning and Planning Commission to the JPC and length of terms. Staff
and Council will continue discussion regarding JPC members.
There was discussion about dissolving the JPC in the future. City Attorney Heine
commented that language could be added to the agreement.
Staff gave an overview of the timetable and will draft an agreement for Council review.
Mayor Cummings thanked everyone for coming.
The Work Session adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
3