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IV.2. Minutes of the April 3, 2018 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 3, 2018 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins City Council was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins. Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order with Council Members Kuznia, Halverson, Gadd and Campbell attending. Staff present included City Manager Mornson, City Attorney Anderson, Director of Planning and Development Elverum, Assistant City Manager Lenz, City Planner Lindahl, Public Works Director Stadler and City Engineer Stanley. ADOPT AGENDA Mayor Cummings commented that the presentation by Commissioner Callison would be rescheduled. Motion by Gadd. Second by Campbell. Motion to Adopt Agenda as amended. Ayes: Kuznia, Halverson, Cummings, Gadd, Campbell. Nays: None. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Kuznia. Second by Halverson. Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda. 1. Minutes of the March 20, 2018 City Council Regular Meeting Proceedings 2. Minutes of the March 20, 2018 City Council Work Session following Regular Meeting Proceedings 3. Ratify Checks Issued in March 2018 Ayes: Kuznia, Halverson, Cummings, Gadd, Campbell. Nays: None. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS VII.1. Award of Contract – Blake Road Improvements, City Project 2013-06 City Engineer Stanley gave an overview of Blake Road Corridor improvement project. Mr. Stanley discussed the proposed roadway improvements, landscaping and aesthetics. Mr. Stanley discussed the project costs, funding, construction issues, project coordination, traffic impacts and detours. Mr. Stanley commented that the low bid came in 11% below engineer’s estimate. Mr. Stanley discussed the project schedule and commented that a public informational meeting is scheduled on April 18 at Eisenhower Community Center. In addition to email updates, newsletters and in-person updates, the public can visit www.blakerdhopkins.com for project information or email blakerdhopkins@wsbeng.com. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 3, 2018 Council Member Halverson asked about the road closure details. Mr. Stanley explained that there would be a full road closure through July and single lane thereafter. There would be business access with some temporary interruption of the driveways. Council Member Kuznia commented that he appreciates all the public communications and asked about the railroad tracks and drone footage. Mr. Stanley explained that the project pavement would be up to the train track right-of-way and that the project engineer would be taking drone footage throughout the project. After the project completion, Blake road will belong to City of Hopkins. Council Member Campbell asked about improvements at the trail crossing. Mr. Stanley commented that there is standard trail crossing signage and at this time no changes are proposed at the trail crossing. A flashing beacon pedestrian crossing would be constructed midblock. Mayor Cummings asked about warning signage on the trail. Staff would contact Three Rivers Park District about signage. Mayor Cummings asked about public outreach to the area apartment complexes and multi-language public information materials. Mr. Stanley commented that the Met Council Communication Manager was to make contact with every building in the Blake Corridor. Mr. Stanley will get an update on the communication and outreach efforts. Mayor Cummings suggested postings at Cottageville Park. Public Works Director Stadler commented that staff could make an outreach effort at the Park. Motion by Campbell. Second by Kuznia. Motion to adopt Resolution 2018-029 Awarding the Contract, Blake Road Improvements, City Project 2013-06. Ayes: Kuznia, Halverson, Cummings, Gadd, Campbell. Nays: None. Motion carried. VII.2. Award of Contract – Pickleball Courts Project Public Works Director Stadler gave an overview of the pickleball courts project at Central Park. Mr. Stadler discussed the bids, contractor experience, project costs, budget and construction timetable. Construction is scheduled to start mid-May with completion at the end of July depending on the weather. There was Council discussion about impacts to other park areas. Mr. Stadler commented that the project should not impact other users or the Pavilion project. Council commented that the project was in response to a request by the community and pickleball players. Mr. Stadler commented that the addition of courts would bring additional visitors to the Hopkins community. Motion by Gadd. Second by Campbell. Motion that Council award a contract to Barber Construction. Inc. in the amount of $208,647.00 for the Pickleball Courts at Central Park, City project #2017-014. HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 3, 2018 Ayes: Kuznia, Halverson, Cummings, Gadd, Campbell. Nays: None. Motion carried. VII.3. Sanctuary at Oak Ridge Concept Plan Review City Planner Lindahl gave an overview of the staff report regarding the Sanctuary at Oak Ridge concept plan review. Mr. Lindahl discussed the existing conditions and property location and commented that it is a complicated piece of property to develop. Mr. Lindahl discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing. There were public concerns regarding the number of units, traffic impacts, construction noise and disruption. The developer commented that four units are needed to make the project viable but would address the concerns. The Planning and Zoning Commission was supportive of the project. Mr. Lindahl explained that the project would require a comp plan amendment, rezoning, subdivision and PUD and that the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District must reclassify the wetland status to reduce the buffering space. Mr. Lindahl explained that the concept plan does not require formal action and that the developer would appreciate Council feedback on the design prior to preparing a formal application. Council Member Halverson asked about location to the wetland and water table. Mr. Lindahl explained the buffer set back requirement and that there is a substantial elevation on the property. Mayor Cummings asked about the building timetable. Mr. Lindahl commented that all four homes are scheduled to be built at the same time. Brady DeVore, commercial real estate broker for Colliers International, representing the property owner, came forward to address the Council. Mr. DeVore explained that the proposed project is the best possible plan for the parcel and that there are too many complications for a larger structure development. Mr. Troy Campbell representing the applicant, Anderson Engineering, came forward to address the Council. Mr. Campbell discussed the applicant’s development experience and explained that the proposed single-family development is the best plan for the property. Mr. Lindahl commented that the units would sit above the wetland due to the elevation change and the wetland buffer would be an average of 25-30 feet. Council Member Campbell asked about parking. Mr. Campbell commented that each unit would have a garage with driveway parking. Council Member Kuznia liked the single-family housing concept and asked about the wetland reclassification. Mr. Campbell commented that the property would be undevelopable if not reclassified. Council Member Gadd appreciates the developer taking on the challenge to develop the difficult parcel. Mayor Cummings encouraged communication with those impacted by the project. VII.4. First Reading: Auto Related Uses Zoning Code Text Amendment City Planner Lindahl gave an overview of the staff report regarding the text amendment changes related to auto uses. Mr. Lindahl summarized the proposed amendments, recommended ordinance changes and supportive issues explaining that it is a long-term HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 3, 2018 strategy to encourage investment along Mainstreet. Mr. Lindahl explained that the proposed changes would help eliminate negative impacts to surrounding neighborhoods and properties. Mr. Lindahl discussed the Planning and Zoning and public information process. Staff has had direct engagement with the Mainstreet businesses impacted. Mr. Lindahl gave an overview of the public hearing comments. Mr. Lindahl explained that the businesses that are non-conforming would be subject to new standards if they choose to expand. The non-conforming standards are addressed in the State Statute and that the current two vacant properties uses would not grandfathered. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Lindahl discussed the proposed language changes, revised standards and concerns. Mr. Lindahl commented that staff and business owners have discussed the changes and staff is addressing concerns of the business owners in order to best address their needs and business practices. Council Member Halverson asked about closed garage doors. Staff has heard this concern from the businesses. Closed garage doors were added to mitigate impacts to neighbors from auto related uses. Mr. Lindahl commented that one option would be to add language limiting closed garage doors to those facing directly at a residential area. There was Council discussion about the definition of business expansion and intensification of the use. Mr. Lindahl commented that a business could rebuild on the existing footprint and that staff would look at expansion on a case-by-case basis. Mayor Cummings discussed the difficulty of enforcement of the current standards and expressed concern about enforcing additional standards and creating nonconformities. Mayor Cummings commented on the importance of supporting small businesses that are important to our community. Mr. Lindahl commented that staff has worked on changes to the ordinance in response to business concerns and that the changes fit in with long-term vision of the City. The ordinance would limit the number of auto uses along Mainstreet and allow for businesses to locate in better areas. The ordinance cleans up the language and gives staff tools to address concerns and work long term with businesses to bring them into compliance. Director of Planning and Development Elverum explained that the ordinance would be a long-term change for what the City is trying to accomplish along Mainstreet. The intent is to keep businesses operating long term and not be a punitive action. There was Council discussion about the intent to apply a uniform standard, limit impacts to residential, maintain a healthy mix of Mainstreet businesses and promote the welcoming, pedestrian-friendly, long-term vision of the City. The ordinance changes should not be punitive and should be easier to enforce. The ordinance should provide guidance as the City moves forward. Council commented that they appreciate staff recognizing the business owner concerns. There was discussion about tabling the first reading and scheduling a Work Session in order to discuss and refine the ordinance as HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS APRIL 3, 2018 well as consider Council and business owner comments. Mayor Cummings thanked staff for the large undertaking of amending the ordinance. City Attorney Anderson advised the Council that it would be appropriate to postpone the first reading to a future date. Motion by Kuznia. Second by Gadd. Motion to postpone the First Reading: Auto Related Uses Zoning Code Text Amendment to a future date. Ayes: Kuznia, Halverson, Cummings, Gadd, Campbell. Nays: None. Motion carried. Walser Automotive representative Doug Smith commended staff for work on the ordinance. Mr. Lindahl will notify businesses prior to the scheduled Work Session. ANNOUNCEMENTS  Hopkins Academy will be held on April 5, 12, 19 and 26.  Open Book meeting regarding property valuations is Tuesday, May 1, 5 – 7 p.m. at Hopkins City Hall.  Blake Road will be closed beginning April 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Campbell, second by Halverson, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:59 p.m. OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS The City Council did not receive any comments or concerns. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold ATTEST: ______________________________ __________________________________ Molly Cummings, Mayor Amy Domeier, City Clerk