2003-900
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE NO. 03-900
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN OVERLAY DISTRICT
The City Council ofthe City of Hopkins makes the following findings:
Adoption of the Hopkins downtown overlay district ordinance will serve the
following goals:
a) Preserve the small-town, unique character of Mainstreet Hopkins
b) Complement the existing historic architecture
c) Enhance the pedestrian orientation of downtown Hopkins and encourage
streetscape design that is inviting and on a human scale
d) Communicate the community's vision for the Mainstreet area
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 556 - Downtown Overlay District
556.01. Boundaries. Subdivision 1. The boundal"ies ofthe overlay district are as
follows:
south side of First Street North to nQrth side of First Street South;
the west side of 6th Avenue to the east side of 13 tl1 Avenue
556.02. Application. Subdivision 1. Commencing on the date of the adoption of this
ordinance the overlay district standards will apply to the following:
a) All newly constructed buildings or structures
b) All exterior building improvements alld sign changes for which a
conditional use permit is not required but which require a building
and/or sign permit (overlay district standards are applicable only to the
changed element or improvement)
c) Renovations for which a conditional use pennit is required under the
provisions of the Hopkins City Code as in effect at the time of the
renovation (all applicable standards apply)
d) All new or reconstructed parking areas with 5 or more spaces
e) Temporary signage
Subd. 2. Grandfather. Any building, structure, parking area or sign that lawfully
exists at the time Ordinance 03-900 is enacted, which would not otherwise be pelmitted
under Ordinance 03-900, may be continued in the same manner as existed before the
effective date of the Ordinance, but any future construction, additions, reconstruction,
renovation, or sign erection shall be subject to the requirements of this ordinance.
Subd 3. Compliance. At the time of application for any CUP, building permit, or
sign permit. The applicant shall demonstrate the proposed building, structure,
improvement, renovation or sign complies with the requirements of this Ordinance. No
CUP, building permit, or sign permit shall be issued until the requirements of this
ordinance have been met. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide the necessary
infonnation to the City staff to determine compliance with the section of the ordinance.
556.03. Awnings. Subdivision 1. Awnings may be required to enhance the historic
character of Mainstreet while providing sun protection for display windows, shelter for
pedestrians, and a sign panel for businesses.
Subd. 2. Length. Awnings cannot extend across multiple storefronts and/or
multiple buildings.
Subd. 3. Materials. Awnings must be constructed of durable, protective, and
water repellant materials. Plastic or fiberglass awnings are not allowed.
Subd. 4. Lighting. Backlit or illuminated awnings are not allowed.
Subd. 5. Projecting. Awnings must project a minimum of 36" from the building.
556.04. ~. Subdivision 1. Signs will be architecturally compatible with the style,
composition, materials, colors, and details of the building to which they are affixed and
with other signs on nearby buildings, while providing for adequate identification of the
business.
Subd. 2. Lighting. Internally illuminated SIgnS (not including neon) are
prohibited except for theater signage.
Subd. 3. Prohibited. Pylon and monument signs are prohibited on Mainstreet.
Subd. 4. Window signage. Temporary window signs are limited to one-third of
the window surface area.
Subd. 5. Size. The combination of neon, permanently painted, and temporary
window signs shall not exceed a total of two-thirds of the window surface area for that
facade.
Subd. 6. Proiecting. Projecting signs will have a maximum size of 12 square feet
and a maximum width of three feet. Projecting signs cannot extend beyond the first floor
of the building. No less than 10 feet of clearance shall be provided between the sidewalk
surface and the lowest point of the projecting sign.
Subd. 7. Distance. Maximum distance between sign and building face is one
foot.
Subd. 8. Design details. Signs cannot block or obliterate design details, windows
or cornices of the building upon which they are placed.
556.05. Building height. Subdivision 1. New buildings, building and additions and
redeveloped or remodeled buildings will complement the existing pattern of building
heights.
Subd. 2. Height. Buildings in the overlay district may not exceed four stories or
45 feet in height.
556.06. Buildings. Subdivision 1. Buildings in the overlay district will together create
the "wall of buildings" effect associated with traditional "Main Street" areas.
Subd. 2. Setback. New construction and infill buildings must maintain the
existing alignment of facades along the street front. Exceptions may be granted if the
setback is pedestrian-oriented and contributes to the quality and character of the
streetscape. An example would be outdoor dining.
Subd. 3. Parking lots. In instances where there are parking al"eas abutting the
street, the sidewalk edge must be delineated with landscaping.
556.07. Roofs and parapets. Subdivision 1. Rooflines will mimic the separate yet
complementary character and design of historic Mainstreet buildings.
Subd. 2. Roofs. Sloped roofs are not allowed unless the roof form is concealed
by a parapet or false front. Exceptions may be granted if the sloped roof is used on top of
a multi-story building to help reduce the overall height of the fa<;ade and define the
residential character ofthe upper floors.
556.08. Utility areas, mechanical equipment and screening, Subdivision 1. Utility areas,
mechanical equipment, and screening will be designed so that they do not detract from
the aesthetic appeal of the district.
Subd. 2. Materials. The screening of exterior trash, storage areas, service yards,
loading areas, transformers, heating, and air conditioning units must use the same
materials, color and/or style as the primary building in order to be architecturally
compatible with the primary building and the building it is adj acent to. If the utility area
is separate from the building it serves, it should be consistent with the City of Hopkins
streetscape theme.
Subd. 3. Roof equipment. All roof equipment will be screened from public view
so as not to be visible from the street. .
Subd. 4. Screening. All exterior trash and storage areas, service yards, loading,
areas, heating, and air conditioning units must be screened from view. Camouflaging
heating and air conditioning units is an acceptable screening method.
556.09. Facades. Subdivision 1. To break up the monotonous appearance of long
facades, the exterior of buildings will be designed with visual breaks.
Subd. 2. Width. A building more than 45 feet in width will be divided into
increments of no more than 45 feet through articulation of the facade. This can be
achieved through combinations of the following teclmiques:
a) Divisions or breaks in materials
b) Window bays
c) Separate entrances and entry treatments
d) Variation in roof lines
e) Building setbacks
556.10. Windows and doors. Subdivision 1. It is encouraged and may be required that
windows and doors be incorporated in building designs to provide large open views into
the commercial space enhancing the pedestrian experience by providing a visual
cOilllection to the use inside the building.
Subd. 2. Upper level windows. Windows are required on upper levels, and
should provide privacy while aesthetically and functionally serving the building.
Subd. 3. Ground level windows and doors. A minimum of 30% of the ground
level facade and sides of buildings adjacent to public streets shall consist of transparent
materials.
Subd. 4. Rear facade. A minimum of 15% of the building's rear fayade facing a
public right-of-way, parking area, or open space shall consist of transparent materials.
Subd. 5. Glass. Reflective glass is not allowed. Glass tinted more than 40% is
not allowed.
556.11. Materials and detailing. Subdivision 1. New buildings and stmctures, additions
and renovations will be constructed to be long lasting and use materials and detailing that
maintain the distinct character and harmony of the downtown.
Subd. 2. Materials. The following materials are not allowed on the facades or
sides ofbuildil1gs adjacent to public right-of-ways:
a) Painted concrete block
b) Aluminum, vinyl or fiberglass siding or roofing materials
c) Precast concrete panels
d) Painting previously unpainted brick on the facades of buildings
Subd. 3. Approval. Any exterior material used in new construction or change in
exterior materials on more than 50 percent of the front, rear, or side of a building facing a
public right-of-way, shall require prior approval of the Zoning and Plmming Commission
and City Council for COmpliallCe with the requirements of this subsection and the other
provisions of this Ordinance.
556.12. Franchise architecture. Subdivision 1. To maintain the unique character of
Hopkins downtown, buildings will not be constructed or renovated using franchise
architecture.
Subd. 2. Franchise. Franchise architecture is defined as building design that is
trademarked or identified with a particular franchise, chain or corporation and is generic
or standard in nature. Franchise architecture is not allowed. Franchises or national
chains must follow the standards of this ordinance to create a building that is compatible
with downtown Hopkins.
556.13. Streetscape. Subdivision 1. The streetscape will be uniform so that it acts to
provide continuity throughout the downtown.
Subd. 2. Replacement. When a redevelopment project disturbs existing
streetscape elements, those items must be replaced with approved Hopkins streetscape
elements compatible with the character of downtown Hopkins.
556.14. Lighting. Subdivision 1. Lighting in the overlay district should serve to
illuminate facades, entrances, and signage to provide an adequate level of personal safety
while enhancing; the aesthetic appeal of the buildings.
Subd, 2. Source. Building and SigIlage lighting must be indirect, with the light
source(s) hidden fi.om direct pedestrian and motorist view. For exterior sign
illumination, shaded gooseneck lamps are encouraged.
556.15. Pal'king, Subdivision 1. Parking in the overlay district must adequately serve
the users without detracting from the compact design that makes it a successful
commercial center.
Subd. 2. Off-street parking. Off-street parking must be located in the rear of
buildings on Mainstreet.
556.16. Exceptions. It is recognized that there may be projects that require a departure
from the requirements in this ordinance in order to be feasible. Possible grounds to be
considered in determining possible reasons for granting exceptions to the ordinance are as
follows:
a) Safety
b) Unique site or building characteristics
c) Standards would have a detrimental effect on the use of the property
d) Public benefit
Financial hardship alone is not a basis to grallt an exception. Exceptions will be reviewed
by the Zoning and Planning Commission with ~ recommendation to the City COlU1Cil for
action. Minor exceptions can be granted on a staff level.
515.07. Definitions.
The following definitions are adopted and incorporated in Section 515 of the
Hopkins City Code.
Subd. 78. Franchise architecture: a building design that is trademarked or
identified with a particular franchise, chain or corporation and is generic or standard in
nature.
Subd. 129. Parapet: a low wall or railing at the edge of a platfonn, roof, or
bridge.
Other definitions listed in Section 515.07 are to be renumbered accordingly.
First Reading:
April 15, 2003
Second Reading:
May 6, 2003
Date of Publication:
May 15, 2003
Date Ordinance Takes Effect:
May 15, 2003
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