11-29-2016HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
AGENDA
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
6:30 pm
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE START OF
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ADOPT AGENDA
III. OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the September 27, 2016, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
V. PUBLIC HEARING
VI. OLD BUSINESS
1. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Process
VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
.
IX. ADJOURN
UNOFFICIAL
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
September 27, 2016
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday,
September 27, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Commission Members Laura L. Daly, Kristin Hanneman, Brian Hunke, Matthew
McNeil, Emily Wallace-Jackson and James Warden. Commissioner Gary Newhouse 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 McNeil moved, Commissioner Warden seconded, to adopt the agenda. The
motion was approved unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS – none.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Warden moved, Commissioner Hanneman seconded, to approve the minutes of
the August 30, 2016, regular meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Medical Cannabis (Planning Application 16-13-TA)
Mr. Lindahl gave an overview of this item, stating that it was initiated by the Council and that
public hearings and discussions took place at the June 28 and August 30 Planning & Zoning
meetings. He stated that the Commission directed staff to prepare a zoning code text amendment
consistent with Option 2 as outlined during the August 30 meeting. Under Option 2 no changes
would be made relative to manufacturing and laboratory uses, and distribution facilities would be
added as a permitted use in all Business districts with no conditions for approval. As the
commission requested at the last meeting , Mr. Lindahl presented a more detailed map showing
the areas eligible for a distribution facility use. In response to a question from the Commission,
Mr. Lindahl stated that he found to issues with possible locations in abutting cities.
Commissioner Daly arrived at the meeting.
Chairman Hunke opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak. Commissioner
McNeil moved, Commissioner Hanneman seconded, to close the public hearing. The hearing
was closed at 6:38 p.m.
Commissioner Warden moved, Commissioner McNeil seconded, to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2016-13, recommending the City Council approve an ordinance amending the City
Code related to medical marijuana facilities. The motion was approved unanimously.
UNOFFICIAL
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, September 27, 2016 – Page 2
2. Floodplain Ordinance Update (Planning Application 16-16-TA)
Mr. Lindahl stated that staff is working with FEMA and the state DNR to update the City’s
Floodpain Ordinance and Zoning Map to comply with requirements for City participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program prior to the November 4, 2016, effective date of the new
regulations. The proposed changes include replacing Section 545 of the Zoning Code and
updating the floodplain district boundaries on the Zoning Map. Mr. Lindahl presented a map
showing changes to the Special Hazard Flood Area, or 100-year floodplain. Properties currently
in or newly added to this area are required to purchase flood insurance for structures located
within or touching the high flood risk area if they have a mortgage or loan from a federally
regulated institution. Staff has identified nine, newly-added properties along Nine Mile Creek,
informed the owners of this change by letter and advised them to consult their insurance agent to
purchase flood insurance.
Questions and discussion included the following:
• The Cold Storage property has a small area adjacent to the creek added to the flood plain.
All concept plans for that property have included expansion of storm water retention
ponds, so this is not a concern.
• All Letters of Map Correction (LOMCs) for revised areas will be re-affirmed when the
new map is in effect, including Nine Mile Creek areas of expansion.
Chairman Hunke opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak. Commissioner
McNeil moved, Commissioner Daly seconded, to close the public hearing. The hearing was
closed at 6:56 p.m.
Commissioner McNeil moved, Commissioner Wallace-Jackson seconded, to adopt Planning
Commission Resolution 2016-14, recommending the City Council approve an ordinance
amending Section 545 of the City Code related to Floodplain zoning regulations.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
During the announcements, Mr. Lindahl updated the Planning & Zoning Commission on the
following items.
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Bylaws - The Council agreed with all changes, but
wanted to update the language regarding the business representative to stipulate he or she
must be the owner or manager of the business. Staff with have this item on the Council
agenda next week.
2. Detachment and Annexation of Minnetonka Property – The City of Minnetonka wants to
expand their facility on land they own within the corporate limits of Hopkins. There are
no tax implications. The standards for annexation require approval by both cities and
then approval by the state.
3. Southwest Light Rail Transit – The state moved to fully fund; construction should begin
in 2017.
4. Shady Oak Station Area Zoning – Staff will work with City of Minnetonka staff to
structure options for a joint powers commission and formalize zoning.
UNOFFICIAL
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, September 27, 2016 – Page 3
5. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update – Continuing to engage citizens for input. Staff
attended Health and Wellness Fair at Activity Center; staff made presentation to Multi
Cultural Advisory Committee.
6. Mr. Lindahl distributed notes from the Legal Training session by the City Attorney to
Commissioners.
7. Mr. Lindahl informed Commissioners of a workshop opportunity from Alliance for
Sustainability on October 24. Topics will include the state’s updated Climate Comp Plan
goals. The flyer will be sent to the Commissioners.
OTHER DISCUSSION
The Commission asked Mr. Lindahl to follow up on the following two issues:
Whether and, if so, when will a mural will be added to the new Taco Bell. The mural was
proposed by Taco Bell when they came before the Commission for approval.
Staff should be aware that the new baseball field at The Blake School may be configured to
allow balls to hit houses and/or cars along the abutting streets.
Mr. Lindahl informed the Commission that unless an application is received that requires action
that month, there will be no December meeting.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Daly moved, Commissioner Warden seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The
motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shannon Smith
MEMO
To: Planning & Zoning Commissioners
From: Jason Lindahl, AICP
Date: November 29, 2016
Subject: 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Process
Proposed Action
Discuss the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update process.
Overview
The City’s comprehensive planning process is called Cultivate Hopkins. New Commissioners may
not be familiar with the project’s website – cultivatehopkins.com. On the site you can watch a video
on the Comprehensive Plan process, read more about the City’s current Comprehensive Plan and
why it needs to be updated, take a short survey to provide input and signup to get more information
throughout the process. Back in March, staff provided an overview of the Comprehensive Plan
update process. With adding two new members to the Commission, staff thinks this is a good time
to revisit that overview.
Background
By law, Hopkins’ Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with Thrive MSP 2040, the Metropolitan
Council’s policy document that guides development in the metropolitan region over the next 30
years. Comprehensive plans must also align with the Metropolitan Council’s regional system and
policy plans. The system plans outline regional policy regarding transportation, water resources,
parks and open space, and housing. The system plans are updated after each decennial census to
address projected growth in population, households and jobs in the metro area.
The Metropolitan Council also sets the basic requirements for what must be included in
comprehensive plans. Hopkins’ Comprehensive Plan update must address six plan elements
including land use, transportation, water resources, parks, housing, and implementation. The
Metropolitan Council also recommends, but does not require, that local governments address
economic competiveness and resilience.
While Hopkins is required to address these plans and elements, the community may establish its
own framework or structure for the Comprehensive Plan. As we talked about back in March,
Hopkins is using a more dynamic and integrated approached from the American Planning
Association outlined in “Sustaining Places: Best Practices for Comprehensive Plans.” During the
meeting, staff will also review this framework and how it’s guiding our process.