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IV. 1. Minutes of the January 23, 2018 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting UNOFFICIAL Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, January 28, 2018 – Page 1 PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES January 23, 2018 A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission was held on January 23, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Hopkins City Hall. Present were Commission Members Laura Daly, Kristin Hanneman, Brian Hunke, Matthew McNeil, Emily Wallace-Jackson and James Warden. Commission Member Elizabeth Goeman was absent. Also present was City Planner Jason Lindahl. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hunke called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ADOPT AGENDA Commissioner Warden moved, Commissioner Hanneman seconded, to adopt the agenda. The motion was approved unanimously. OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS – none. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Daly moved, Commissioner Hanneman seconded, to approve the minutes of the November 28, 2017, regular meeting. The motion was approved unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING – none. NEW BUSINESS 1. Application 2018-01-CON – Central Park Improvements Concept Plan Review Mr. Lindahl stated that no formal action is needed on this item. The Commission is being asked to hear a presentation from City Staff and representatives from 292 Design Group regarding improvements to Central Park and the Pavilion Ice Arena and provide feedback. Steve Stadler, Hopkins Public Works Director, gave the Commissioners an overview of the plans for improvements to Central Park. Key elements of the plans include removal of existing warming house, creation of a central plaza area, reconfigured drop-off and parking areas and adding new interactive play areas, fitness nodes UNOFFICIAL Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, January 28, 2018 – Page 2 and pickle ball courts. The goals for the improvements are to better position the park to host more community events, transform the park from a predominately athletic field and ice arena facility to a community park with more diverse and broader attraction, and improving the park’s visibility and access to the general public. Funding to come from the Park Improvement Fund and is planned as a 2021 project. Commission discussion included parking for events and activities, the new play areas, landscaping to add shaded areas in the park, and attracting visitors to businesses in downtown Hopkins from the park. Erik Olson, 292 Design Group, gave an overview of the plans for the improvements to the Pavilion Ice Arena. This will include a 7,753 square foot addition made of concrete masonry unit and metal stud bearing walls with steel truss and precast concrete plank roof. Uses in the addition include new and expanded lobby, concessions, warming house, team locker rooms, restrooms, office, meeting room and refrigeration room and equipment. OLD BUSINESS 1. Application 2017-08-TA – Alternative Energy Ordinance. The Commission is being asked to evaluate the existing energy use information and model solar ordinance and provide feedback. In July and August of 2017, staff presented information from the SolSmart program, a national designation program designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to the implementation of solar energy systems. During that review, staff identified several steps for Hopkins to achieve SolSmart designation. Chief among them was approval of a zoning text amendment to allow solar energy systems and other forms of alternative energy production. Since that time, staff has been researching both existing energy conditions in Hopkins and regulations in other communities. During the meeting, staff reviewed this information with the Commission and asked for feedback on drafting alternative energy zoning regulations for Hopkins. Mr. Lindahl presented the Commission with an overview of the results of staff’s research into existing energy conditions in Hopkins. The report focuses on solar systems in commercial and high impact sites such as landfill and industrial properties. By fully utilizing the solar resources of the areas listed in the report, The City has the potential to produce 55% of the total energy needs for the community. However, there are some caveats with that analysis. The takeaway is that by effectively utilizing the solar energy resources in Hopkins, there would be a substantial impact on the greenhouse gas emissions in the community. Mr. Lindahl also led the discussion of the model solar ordinance for the state of Minnesota. He stated that it was important to keep in mind that the ordinance was drafted to be wide-ranging and not all the provisions will be appropriate for Hopkins. Commissioner Hanneman left the meeting at 8:25 p.m. UNOFFICIAL Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, January 28, 2018 – Page 3 Commission discussion included concerns about the viability of solar energy in some areas; comparing ground mounted and roof mounted solar panel options in residential areas and the potential benefits and negative aspects to both; conditional use permit process; questions about variances to the standard ordinance; and concern about general lack of knowledge on solar panels/solar energy that has the potential to make creating the ordinance difficult. Mr. Lindahl suggested inviting a solar panel expert to give a presentation to the Commission to provide additional information. Meanwhile, staff will start on a first draft of the ordinance that will focus on general standards for Hopkins that the Commission can use as a guide while drafting specifics of the ordinance during the next meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS During the announcements, Mr. Lindahl updated the Planning & Zoning Commission on the following items: 1. Previous items before the Planning & Zoning Commission: City Planner Jason Lindahl noted the following items previously before the Planning & Zoning Commission were approved by the City Council during their December 5th, 2017 meeting. • 2017-12-SUB, Hopkins Doran Subdivision 2. Cultivate Hopkins – 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update City Planner Jason Lindahl informed the Commission that the Cultivate Hopkins advisory committee continues its works to update the Comprehensive Plan. The committee met on January 10th to review the Economic Environment section of the plan. During the meeting the committee focused on affordable housing, business development and poverty and disparities. The committee’s next meeting will be February 7th to review the Social Environment section of the plan. ADJOURN Commissioner Daly moved, Commissioner Warden seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Pearsall