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1989 Comprehensive Plan ��Il1�+ � 6 8 6 L Y .,. • � r �' u�1 d a�Tsua�a.�du�o,� - suz�doH �;� � ��Y'-•�� ►pV� I.� \�J �'p tC�1a , c ` 5 by \ I1 � � � \ � / � ry � /> \� �J�l� � � , / ' � ; �� by� 1 �� 1� �� \ tryy� ,' 15^ � 1 3 /� i � A0� % _ � � 1 "' f 3� � E � �p I 'r � 2\ �,�, � � 1 s E s � g � �r ��mm � �1 S H � N"N � z s y 1 a a i --- � I v,i O � � � rI � � I � l� /�� ,,^ i �� F81 \\ �I ` s �J, oa5 _/ ��o _ �' �� .� �_` � � ls - � tltl � ��P �� , �� - �� ^ � s ` ' � /\., �JS�_. _ V� Sd � � /♦ S � `� N / � �^ ' �/p /a /1) ://� ,�i� �5,bg ' � ' �' a O ��/� �Jo O ./ �Af � � IS � /L`i' �J`� f . ? \ / V� Y l � III//,!�;�� / �� 3�_ _ •� /�1�� // //, �T/l l� � � 'f � � M N 7 . � � y/ .^� a �8 t1Q�s��X3 ��_ __v� r, ,�N1/ rn�i YI-�_ ' � �� •� /' r �� S �co S 3 'S � O/1j8 � • �a �- _ �J�� _~� /� �� "�"z ��`S��'J�. / _ �s - ' �" �� a ��,! � ,� �" otl � r � � i ? .. \\I � — e -�-� , k' n `\ , w�rs• .m � / S a O , _ _ �-:, + L r s ,� V`� m� °•��•� � . 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Milbert, Mayor Edward Anderson, Chairman Robert Anderson Warren Woodrich, Jr. — Charles Kritzler John Novak Charles Redepenning Richard Pavelka ` James Shirley Michael McGlennen Toni Richardson Eugene Maxwell ` City of Hopkins _ 1010 South First Street Hopkins, MN 55343 (612) 935-8474 Planning Services Provided by: BRW, Inc. — 700 Third Street South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415 " (612) 370-0700 � Peter E. Jarvis, AICP, Principal-in-Charge William C. Weber, AICP, Project Manager — Richard Ellingson, Graphics Linda Molitor, Word Processing , TABLE OF CONTENTS '" GOALS OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 STRENGTHS-WEAKNESSES-OPPORTUNITIES-THREATS 3 ANALYSIS OF POPULATION,HOUSEHOLDS, AND EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 � LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 � Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 -- TRANSPORTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 ` Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 DOWNTOWN HOPKINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 _ EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD CORRIDOR PLAN . . . . . . . .55 — HOUSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 — . Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 ' COMMUNITY IMAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 ! Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 APPENDIX A: Planned Land Use in Each Traffic AssignmentZone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 +.� LIST OF FIGURES - 1 Generalized Land Use, 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 � 2 Hopkins Parks, 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 — 3 Land Use Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 4 Major Roadways and LRT Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 5 Downtown Development, 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 - 6 Downtown Land Use Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 7 Downtown Street System Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 8 Hopkins Neighborhoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 �" 9 Generalized Visual Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 ._ � T � + . � ti� i � � -- LIST OF TABLES 1 Population, Household, and Employment Trends . . . . 9 _ 2 Population Characteristics, 1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 3 Land Use Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 4 Transportation Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 ` 5 ' Downtown Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 6 Excelsior Boulevard Corridor Action Plan . . . . . . . .59 � 7 Housing Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 ' 8 Community Image Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 .. .. .. i � - ... � GOALS OF THE CITY OF - HOPKINS The following statements summarize the goals of the City of Hopkins which have guided the preparation of this Comprehensive Plan and to which the City will refer in establishing spending and action priorities. . 1. Protect the residential neighborhoods. Hopkins is primarily a residential community, and its people are its _ strength. The City has several fine neighborhoods with well-main- tained homes, mature vegetation, and decades of personal commitment. However, the effects of time, physical deterioration,� • changing tastes,market competition,and,not least,the influence of traffic and nearby businesses may erode the quality of these neigh- borhoods and irrevocably change the nature of the community - population.The primary goal of the City of Hopkins,then,is to work to protect these residential areas, which should support several of the other goals described below. This goal is supported by all Comprehensive Plan elements. ! � 2. Improve Downtown Hopkins. _ It is rare to discover a distinctive,pedestrian-scale commerical area set in the heart of a small suburban community, but Hopkins has one. Downtown Hopkins and Mainstreet give the city a strong - central focus and sense of place or identity that many other com- munities try to create but cannot. Major improvements have been made Downtown in recent years through public-private cooperative r' effforts, and these should continue. The Downtown Plan supports this goal. � � 1 � 3. Improve deteriorating and/or obsolescent industrial or commer- cial areas. — The City should continue to work in a business-like fashion to help the evolution of industrial and commercial businesses continue in ' order that the limited amount of non-residential land in Hopkins can be used to its full potential. , This goal is supported by the Land Use and Excelsior Boulevartd Corridor Plans 4. Bolster the image and character of the community. Hopkins retains many of the freestanding, small-town charac- teristics it developed over its 100-year history, and these features are a valuable asset which can be built upon. Unfortunately, hap- _ hazard urban development and eventual deterioration have taken their toll on the community's image, which now needs a concerted private and public improvement effort lest the charm of the city be — lost. . This goal is addressed by the Community Image and Land Use ^ Plans. 5. Build civic involvement, commitment, and pride. — The best city plans have no benefit unless the local population is concerned about its community and has leaders (elected and other- wise) with vision and wisdom. Hopkins has the ingredients for successful community integration as a result of its small-town char- _ acter and Downtown civic focus. - 6. Maintain fiscal health and an acceptable balance between service _ quality and property tax rates. This aim is universally supported by residents and businesspeople, — as surveys and comments have indicated concern about the matter. Demonstrating responsibility in fiscal matters,while having obvious local benefits, would also aid the City in its public relations with -' prospective residents and business ownerso Continued pursuit of new and expanded businesses and industries is the best way to meet _ this goal. All plan elements support this goal. _ 2 � — � r► STRENGTHS-WEAKNES SES- - OPPORTUNITIES-THREATS _ In order to properly frame a strategy for moving the community toward a desirable future state, it is crucial to understand its .strengths and — weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Evaluation of these factors was accomplished through several means: a community opinion survey con- - ducted in June 1988 by Decision Resources, Inc.; a discussion with the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, elected and appointed offi- cials,and other members of the public facilitated by the project planning r' consultant; a discussion with members of the City Planning and Economic Development staff; a review of Census data; and a tour of the , City by the planning consultant with the staff inembers and alone. The . findings are summarized below. ` STRENGTHS OF HOPKINS — 1. Sense of Comm�nity �, Hopkins exudes a sense of community that is found in a few Metropolitan Area cities by virtue of its population size,geographic size,stable,cohesive residential areas,identifiable downtown retail _ and civic area, community celebrations (notably the Raspberry Festival), and families that have lived in the cities for decades. The school district is geographically focused on Hopkins. A sense of -- pride and identity exists. 2. Identifiable Downtown Downtown Hopkins is one of a small number of old central shopping districts in Metropolitan Area communities. Although its strength . in the retail market has declined, it remains well known and iden- tifiable on a small scale, and a focus of the community. Several _ private and public improvements have occurred in recent years. -- 3 3. Employment Base Hopkins has a relatively high number and diversity of jobs for a community of its size. , 4. Location Hopkins is strategically located relative to the City of Minneapolis ' and other western suburbs. 5. Access '" The City has excellent access via federal,state,and county roadways, freight railroads, and the planned light-rail transit system. 6. Variety of Housing Types Hopkins has a wide variety of housing for people in every stage of the life cycle and income category. __ 7. Variety of Development Types The community is composed of several types of housing, retail and ^ service businesses,and industry,public parks,and private golf cour- ses. � 8. Attractive Residential Neighborhoods There are a number of distinct and identifiable residential neigh- borhoods defined by roadways, golf courses, and creeks. Each is attractive in its own way. — 9. Strong School District The school district has a strong reputation and is a compelling reason to live in the city. 10. Good Municipal Service Delivery The 1988 community opinion survey indicated a high level of satis- ^ faction with the delivery of municipal services such as snowplowing, parks, police and fire protection, and trash collection. _ 4 ^ � r � WEA,KNESSES OF HOPKINS 1. Aging Housing Stock �� Most of the Hopkins housing stock was built prior to 1960 and some of it prior to 1930.The city has large areas of small,post-War houses � which lack many features and amenities which families and in- dividuals desire in the contemporary market. As these structures deteriorate,their desirabilitywill decrease more rapidly and owners -- may not be eager to reinvest in them because their potential is limited by their small size, floor plan, and garage and closet space. �' 2. Negative Effects upon Housing of Industry, Business, and Traffic The land use pattern subjects several residential neighborhoods to ` the negative effects of adjacent industry and other businesses, and, especially,traffic associated with business and high-density housing. i 3. Downtown Economic Stn�cture in Need of Improvement The downtown retail economy has slumped badly in the last two or � three decades from its former position of sub-regional prominence, and the area has not completed the evolution to a more stable .,- mixture of retail and service businesses,offices,government offices, entertainment,and attached housing. Many buildings are in need of physical improvement, some storefronts are vacant or underutil- �— ized, the area is fragmented into several sub-districts instead of operating as a cohesive whole,the downtown has poor visibility and ' access, and its image is unfocused. Although several significant � private and public improvements have occurred in recent years, much work remains.A 1988 market study included numerous useful _ recommendations. 4. Major Roadways and Industrial Areas Divide the Residential Com- ._ munity The community is badly divided by TH 169, Excelsior Boulevard — (County Road 3), and TH 7. In addition, the industrial area along Excelsior Boulevard separates two major residential neighbor- hoods from the rest of the community. 5. Image of the Community in the Minds of Outsiders — 5 � Some outsiders may have a negative image of Hopkins as a result of their limited but unfavorable impression of Hopkins as they drive " along Excelsior Boulevard or Blake Road north of Excelsior Boulevard. (The Highway 7 corridor, on the other hand, is quite attractive through Hopkins.)Several very fine residential neighbor- � hoods are not known by others or are assumed to be part of Minnetonka.The Raspberry Festival projects a positive image of a � _ friendly, old-fashioned small town, but the downtown is probably best known as a local mecca for teenage "cruisers" (a custom which has now relocated to another community). -- 6. Physical Appearance along Certain Major Traffic Corridors As mentioned above, the image of the Excelsior Boulevard is quite negative because of its deteriorated buildings,outdoor storage,lack of landscaping, overhead wires, intensive business operations, and "' visual noise. Because it is the dominant image that many people have of the community, this impression takes away from the many positive aspects of the community. — 7. Tax Base Constraints � Because the city is nearly fully developed,there is little opportunity to e�and the t�base without redeveloping property,which some- times involves public assistance. OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOPKINS - 1. Access to and from Minneapolis via light-rail transit � Two stations are currently planned: one on land owned by the Massey-Ferguson Company and used by that firm for a parking lot and a second -- the terminus of the transit line for Stage 1 -- on industrial property immediately west of TH 169 between the rail- .._ road tracks and Third Street South. The second station would include a 1300-car parking lot. These stations would bring many people into Hopkins daily and improve access not only from Hop- — kins to Minneapolis but also from Minneapolis (and other locations) to Hopkins. 2. A resurgent Downtown � 6 , � � Downtown Hopkins is clearly on its way back to economic health. It has accomplished several changes in its economic structure, y physical design, and administrative organization and appears ready to take the next steps toward revitalization. 3. The future of the retired landfill in southwest Hopkins _ This site could be used for public or private recreation and/or open space. " 4. Improvement of the Excelsior Boulevard corridor and associated industrial areas .� These locations have very good access and visibility along with numerous buildings and sites which are in need of improvement or redevelopment. 5. Capitalizing on Hopkins' self-contained small-town image � This image is, perhaps, Hopkins' strongest long-term asset and opportunity as it is a characteristic of which few other communities can boast. ` THREATS TO HOPKINS 1. Housing deterioration and disinvestment r A high percentage of Hopkins housing units is over 50 years old and many were built in the same era. Thus, there is the possibility of ' many houses deteriorating at the same time. Preserving Hopkins' housing stock and its neighborhoods should be a prime considera- � tion of the City. 2. Industrial obsolescence, deterioration and stagnation, and job loss ` Some of Hopkins' industrial plants are aging and/or have physical . site constraints to expansion and modernization. ` 3. Downtown economic and physical decline Although it appears that Downtown Hopkins is on a steady im- r provement trend, the threat remains that businesses might not prosper and buildings could deteriorate. _ 7 4. Loss of families The threat of widespread physical decline in the housing stock coupled with the small size and lack of certain amenities in many - local houses could lead to fewer families in Hopkins and more �' singles or childless couples. 5. Rising local mill rate Hopkins has few opportunites to easily increase its tax base, and � rising costs in local, county, and school district governments could increase local mill rates and property taxes. 6. Deteriorating public infrastructure 1 Hopkins is over 100 years of age, and most of its streets and sewer -- and water lines were constructed many decades ago. Deterioration of these facilites is, thus, a threat. � � � � � � - �. 8 .ti r � � ANALYSIS OF POPULATION, -- HOU SEHOLD S, AND EMPLOYMENT .� This section describes and analyzes the major demographic and employ- ment trends in Hopkins which may influence municipal policy. Table 1 presents data regarding gross historic and future counts. _ TABLE 1 POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD, AND . EMPLOYMENT TREND S .► Average Year Population Households Persons/ Employment Household � 1940 4,100 1950 7,595 • 1960 11,370 3,245 3.50 _ 1970 �3,428 3,583 3.75 1978 15,180 ' 1980 15,336 7,061 2.17 19,100 1986 15,211 7,761 � 1.96 y 1990 14,800 7,800 1.90 20,000 � 2000 14,800 8,000 1.85 21,000 2010 15,000 8,200 1.83 21,500 — 9 Sources: City of Hopkins Comprehensive Plan, 1980 'I`�vin Cities Metropolitan Council Development Guide ! Notes to Table ]. • Much of the population growth which occurred prior to 1950 was a result of annexations of developed or developing property to the _ City. • The number of housing units is increasing in Hopkins but the — population is declining as a result of a shrinkage in the average number of persons per household. This decline has been occurring since approximately least 1970 and is judged to be the result of the — departure of children from families residing in detached housing units (the "empty-nester" syndrome), a national trend toward later ,_ marriage and smaller families, and an increase in the proportion of attached housing units in the total housing stock. This change was forecast as far back as 1965 in Hopkins and is being experienced by — many older communities. • The slow but steady increase in the number of jobs in Hopkins ^ reflects the redevelopment of certain properties, some of which has been assisted by the City, and a general increase in intensity of �. non-residential land use, including an increase in the number of office employees. POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS, 1980 The following is a tabular summary of the major population charac- teristics of the City of Hopkins from the 1980 U.S. Census of Population, — including a comparison to data from the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. . , . ... 10 TABLE 2 �" POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS, 1980 � Characteristics Hopkins Metro Area Number of Persons 15,336 2,113,533 + Persons by Gender Female 55 % 51 % � Male 45 % 49 % Number of Families 3,765 531,293 —' Number of Households 7,061 762,376 Median Number of Persons pe 1.88 2.35 � Housing Unit Mean Number of Person pe 212 2.71 Housing Unit `` Median Age 30.0 28.0 Number of Persons by Age ` � 0-9 10 % 15 % 10-19 12 % 18 % -- 20-29 28 % 20 % 30-44 17 % 21 % .-- 45-59 18 % 14 % 60+ 19 % 13 % " Persons by Race White 98 % 95 % , Non-White 2 % 5 % Households by Person „ 1 Person Female householder 23 % 15 % Male householder 12 % 9 % . � 2 or More Persons - Married Couple Family 41 % 59 % � Other Family Female householder 10 % 9 % — 11 Characteristics Hopkins Metro Area Male householder 2 % 2 % Non-Family household Female householder 6 % 3 % � Male householder 5 % 4 % Households with Person unde Age 18 Married Couple Family 69 % 82 % -- Other Family Female householder 26 % 15 % _ Male householder 4 % 3 % Non-Famil 1 % 1 % w Related Children by Age Under 5 Years 28 % 26 % 5 to 17 Years 72 % 74 % Families by 1979 Income Median $22,403 $24,582 � Mean $26,165 $27,626 Households by 1979 Income � Median $17,318 $20,669 Mean $20,951 $23,670 ' Employed Persons 16 and Ove by Occupation _ Managerial and Professional 24.6 % 25.6 % Technical, Sales, Admin. 42.9 % 34.3 % _ Service 12.4 % 13.0 % Farming, Forestry, Fishing .3 % 1.3 % _ Precision Production, Craft 8.0 % 10.5 % Operators, Fabr., Laborers 13.0 % 15.3 g'o Source: 1980 U.S. Census of Population � 12 � POPULATION CONCLU5IONS AND � PREDICTIONS ' The major conclusions and predictions about the population structure in Hopkins are set forth below. 1. The average household size and average number of persons per housing unit in Hopkins are less than the comparable figures for the -- Metropolitan Area. 2. The Hopkins age structure compared to the Metropolitan Area has — a smaller percentage of children, a higher percentage of young adults, and a higher percentage of elderly. 3. Hopkins has more single persons (particularly females) and fewer married couples than the Metropolitan Area. , 4. Compared to the Metropolitan Area,Hopkins has a lower percent- age of children under 18 in families and a higher percentage in ' single-parent households (especially female-headed households). 5. Hopkins has lower mean and median incomes for households and � families than the Metropolitan Area. 6. The average household size and the total population of the City will � continue to decline slightly, then level off in the 1990s. � 7. The percentage of adults over the age of 65 will increase steadily through the turn of the century and accelerate sharply after 2010, when the first Baby Boomers reach that age, and peak just after -� 2025. This will have tremendous implications for the types of housing '- needed and on the health care system. � 8. The percentage of adults under the age of 30 in Hopkins will remain ` relatively steady. 9. There will be an increase in the number and percentage of non- y traditional (two parents, children) households. — 13 10. The percentage of women in the workforce will continue to in- crease, as will the number and percentage of two-wage earner � � households. Points #9 and #10 will place greater strains on the school system, � the social service delivery system,and on businesses such as daycare. 11. The number and percentage of adults with post-secondary educa- � tional degrees will increase in Hopkins. 12. The number and percentage of minority-group�households will increase in Hopkins. 13. The regional market demand for low-cost, low-skill workers will outstrip the supply. 14. There will be an increasing need for workers to update and change their job skills and education throughout their careers. _ 15. There may be a slight increase in elementary school enrollment in the 1990s. __ POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT � ISSUES • What should be the response of the City to the expected demand for much more specialized housing, social services, and transporta- _ tion for the elderly after the Year 2000, a phenomenon which may peak and decline like the school construction wave that occurred in the 1950s and 1960s? -- • Should the City establish as one of its goals to retain and/or increase the percentage of families in the community? If so,what should be —' its approach to this goal? • Are the City's land use plan and policies adequate to allow it to � respond to the changing nature of the post-industrial market? Will .the community have a high quality and diversity of jobs and a low -- rate of unemployment? 14 .� .-► :. LAND USE AND - DEVELOPMENT Land Use And Development Issues r OVERALL PATTERN The land use pattern of Hopkins has evolved over the last century and is .. now well established in most locations. Redevelopment is ongoing in - some sectors, however, especially in the Downtown and the industrial � areas. Only a few undeveloped parcels of land presently exist. Under- f development of sites or,more particularly,inappropriate use of land are the major issues now confronting the community. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS Perhaps the greatest asset of Hopkins is its several fine neighborhoods r of single-family homes,wherein there is a mixture of young singles,young families, mature families, and elderly couples and singles.These neigh- borhoods give Hopkins its character and cohesiveness. However, .... maintaining acceptance of some of the smaller, post-War homes may wane as time goes by and long-time residents move out. Protecting these neighborhoods from inappropriate development and the effects of aging ` and evolution as well as preserving a strong social fabric will be major challenges for the communi�y. DOWNTOWN HOPKINS The Downtown has changed over the years from an important and ' vibrant retail center to one which serves local convenience needs and r 15 certain specialty market niches. The dynamics of consumer marketing and the transportation network have caused such shifts in many older — central shopping areas. Downtown Hopkins still, however, possesses a special character which can be exploited, and the area can reposition � itself to respond to contemporary market challenges and opportunities but not without private and public efforts. There has been considerable public investment and interest in Downtown in the recent past, and that — trend is continuing. Without question, Downtown Hopkins is one of a half dozen or so recognizable central community shopping areas in the _ Metropolitan Areas,which alone makes it an asset worth protecting.The community plainly recognizes the importance of the Downtown and has a strong positive emotional response to the location. — INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS _ Hopkins has long been an important center of employment and com- _ merce in the western suburbs as a result of its streetcar, highway, and railroad service.Industrial development and redevelopment continue to be important to the community for purposes of tax base and employment. � The City has invested staff time and financial resources to leverage private investment and is committed to an ongoing effort of business _ recruitment and development. NATURAL PROTECTION AREAS - There are two locations of special natural significance in Hopkins: — Nine-Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek. Each is protected by the rules and regulations of a Watershed District and the Minnesota Department „_ of Natural Resources. In addition, the City of Hopkins has approved zoning regulations to complement the efforts of those non-municipal agenciese The Nine-Mile Creek basin in southeast Hopkins is being � protected for purposes of flood protection, wildlife protection, agricul- ture, natural beauty, and passive recreation. The Minnehaha Creek ! basin does not include agriculture but does include active recreation such as canoeing. Other natural areas include Meadowbrook and Oak Ridge golf courses, Central Park, and the Blake School athletic fields. � 16 � 73� MINNETONKA FI G U R E 1 ' �-�i' �-- �s �� - �.��'� INNETONKA�` BWD �.s s � �� N ��y ¢ � � y U � �� MI(�NETONKAII - �I� �� r � � JI -7 , - 73 I OAK RIDGE � GOLF COURSE �'� � MD — �L�1 ��I �� _ C` ; r� ,* ��r � — ��l�l�=�/� � wn� .( �� ( _ , �� C I � ='^:_ / = � HDR� � ' �" S � �-J �� 'J/M�a �� / J P �\I c ,��LJ Ib ��'/��: '�_' Y��.�� sr-J �.�.\ s,;,� �= il�+J' �� •I °��'�a', �� ,�,..��„'�' �—�� , � � , y �. r �� qp�ST. N.� ��0 �� .�9� Z�`"�� I�, L I � �� e� �� '� � n ' „ �� f��.�'Zj� � � � /� _�'� �.' .� �� I P s r � s � l� �S� .� �� C � �I�� 3 "�� ` 1 I i ' ` � � . F w � I I��!1 HDR�� I �� N ST�'�� f� I��,� i��,� �, I pi�- �I '�I I I�I S �I��j� �I '. M�i�l 't � � i!�i/� �� X��"'�� 1 �r/�� Y O =" I�L '1ST��ST�.1�� ' �I i � '��.� j� � �il ��r � �� n�oR ��r.� � '\ ��"� `��_ � a y; _' _ _ ` �i � �ri� ` �� q eIi �II �I� MEADOW a A . - � � ea.cc .I�Lu_.L� � :�I �I - -� c�' � _ __ a �� _ _.� -� c L � �� a-�r � l - w ,!'�� -1 BROOK v� �T�l��` - I I �-��R j Q �C LMD J r-I �S r`�`�cn K(�� 1Cj �i� ; �� /;��=�-dR 51� � S � _�_II,��II COUR$E �O Ii r�� I rlr— ' I MD �L''I I Z � C , RI lau� �.�,I�.. �hlb auj ;�i ' ��,` i� i ' � �I �I I) �oo� �` � �, �' � '�IrP� N _- - �' � � � �- � �-,�-�.,._-,--��,,,��.�.�� o -;r � - , ��e, � � ��s�r� ��C�'�I� PU � EDINA � �� IMENNEPtN � � �� : �,�i �//� ��ANSPORTATION� Z L�DRJ LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ��„ �,/� �'�°�u—J� � �MDRJ MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL i � �/��I M ,=� �� '�,,•� � li , _�� `HDRJ HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ,�� % � -� �; �� %/�'�'�'�� .� ��,� � �� C �C J COMMERCIAL & CBD � Q � /�� os ,y�;Jl��y��s' a',�� p o �� I J INDUSTRIAL �� - � ��i� � ! Ic ��'��'V � =I ��r.-•�—�� c�,,� �s J SCHOOL o �' f� d ,., � r W' FORMER �I, ,,,� r \��-=1�� I'�I rCh� CHURCH �z l.u►��. p �1��1�_ � r p� PARK � L_J '�'� � r ��` I I� � `�. II A° I a `Pu� OTHER PUBLIC � � z �I, MD , � � J� --- I H � — �"�'�' ••.�..-��W �AG j AGRICULTURAL � � '� r'pg� OPEN SPACE �� '� �" ��--"�j r�1 UNDEVELOPED �. \� L._J N � ! MINNETONKA � � � o aoo� �zoo� zaoo� � c �t� of HOPKINS - comprehens iqe _ plan GENERALIZED _ �� LAND USE 1989 1� Housing and Residential Neighborhood Issues • Through the course of the City's growth, several small neighbor- hoods were created, each with a distinct character, and are _ separated from one another by non-residential uses, roads, etc. Is the integrity and attractiveness of the residential neighborhoods being adequately maintained? Is the single-family character of � these neighborhoods being sufficiently protected? • Should Downtown growth be allowed to encroach into adjacent ^ residential neighborhoods if it makes for a stronger central business district? Are there some locations where such encroachment would .._ be acceptable? • Are housing maintenance regulations properly enforced? -- • Should commercial development be allowed along Highway 7? • Should or can the City increase its financial role in maintaining housing quality? . • Should the mobile home court near Main Street and Shady Oak Road be planned for some other use at this time, or should that use � be planned to continue for the foreseeable future? • What should be the allowable housing density if the greenhouse site — near Nine-Mile Creek is redeveloped? (Current zoning is R-2.) Downtown Issues �-- • Should the area included in the Downtown be enlarged? _ • Is there a commitment by the City to followthrough on the recom- mendations of the Laventhol and Horwath Downtown market -- study? The 1988 community opinion survey indicated that the population supports continued City investment in the Downtown. • Can additional attached housing be allowed on the perimeter of Downtown Hopkins while protecting the integrity of nearly single- _ family housing? � 18 � 73 MINNETONKA FI G U R E 2 -' MNNEHAHA CREEK .-,.T,.;,::•� ;.......:'.::"..:��.�.,c:�:: RESERVE - .��y�-�..,-,, ;,,'„�,::': �� ,.J`� � ........ �., � .c':.�:7-�;:,..,::i7:�:::�MINNETONKA!�' 8LV0 ��'b� '�4=�—�—�=� �'��..`� `nl .,. �'� ¢� �_ �2' �� y�'�='� .ces E oa. � � � ¢ ° �i �. U�L��— � MINNETONKA —� �'' '�_�-� Y � � � �I�� :t�1 �-�„�1 �s' OAK RIDGE GOLF COURSE a.w =�� /�,-, � .\ ^I ` ul �� `�� + � � _ -- __ - JI� � I�� r ��i � _ ..,.o�. .. � �� — _—�-- L s�� •�• ra�Y� ��,� y � I ��I�I L��LJN�H/r �o '�^�`.�� ..� � �� LAKE STdN E ..`I�� y�_ LJ LJ � ,y`` :� � � : .sc. r--^--p—� y 61� �l ��R I'lIS_�'I��N �\—�\\\-��f1�II ��LJ�M/(C��G�I y�ii � � �� uc��•��5 ' +I�., ..y � ;� �� .� . �. 1 ' ' �.• �r— I� �- �—�—�_ �. 5.�/' �. -` d I, �.� I � n _ B � - � �� ,�5� ;, �—r = =f , �� ' , �, � �� - 31 ��: ��, �2N ST. N. ��d 9.� �� i. �� ,."�� 1 � � �� '� ,�. W ., A�.+'� �',�� J r� ,� '° � � .,� : . � � : 9 31 o?�� O� ,E . �_1ST ST• N� _ Q�r��'k _ —^^^,,,� I��, � • •I� " i�I EXGELSIOR BLVD. a�'-:�-'f�� Y .a y,F• .. .. � . ,�'Ir— ' �_' s*�1i�/' �.1/� - � � '__ . � �� i I� =I�� I�I� %I� � .II II I � �II ��h� �� a� s, g, � o MEADOW- �GQ. Y °:i' ��niN sraeETil ILJL��—l='�i ��.� �� a' ; � a%�. —_ -�. _y BROOK �fn _�' "y' . . �f Z � � � �'�' .� „�; ( �_!�, -, - ° GOLF o � W'� �,4 3��-,:�5 < � % � " ¢I .. � -' a m COURSE I� � ��' � ��I �i :�'� 5� �� 3 �%y'�` s a �� w o.�"�- _ . __�, �0 Q F � �¢,�z, in � �� Y . O �� r Z �� ' I rF��4 ' �� _�; ,� �` C" '- "1I I� , � � �� II S �� °a I— ?� 1L��L. li }.��F '.�z..a�I _��'/V' �' ' III IW ��I 4.: y � 5 � �� / � (� � i W� � �3 -_ EXCELSIOR BLVD��" � _ ��"–=:_ sa :a��.'_a i.,:---��"-------� '� �_r._'s_---- � 's� ' '� " ,.�",�'� F��._ � I � _�. - . '� iz EDINA "� 7 �� 1 ELMO PARK ' � � �N 2 HILLTOP PARK L'r� �-- s _—_5T"sT u�12 ,3 3 SHADY OAK NATURE TRAIL � ; �, r ` �^� � � � o� z '� 4 CENTRAL PARK `'"`� • " � 5 DOWNTOWN PARK I Y-.� i t`�'V �1C�1�= : .i�. � � \n �'' ' '' 6 SHADY OAK BEACH � _ , �� ,. �� Q i - - _ ��TH ST�S � Q� �13a � �; 7 B U R N E S P A R K Y s� — - —_--� _ �� ' � J^ 8 OAKES PARK r. z r� ' 1� � � �� 9 COTTRGEVILLE PARK W � —�'°� �;��'�'; � �. .er�iv�1�NMENTAL 10 HARLEY HOPKINS SCHOOL PLAYGROUND Z � �°� 4 f AREaW, 11 INTERLACHEN PARK a 'g z f e h�P� � � `� i1' 12 BUFFER PARK � r�.',-.�I � � I ro<L� ` :��Q.�''�Sf .. i Q �, :I z 13 PARK VALLEY PLAYGROUND t �,.� � � � •.:�� ;�� w 14 VALLEY PARK I '' ; I 15 MAETZOLD FIELD (SCHOOL DISTRIC� � ��___`��_____�� __�'e 16 HAGEN FIELD (PRIVATE) �� MINNETONKA � H 0 600' 1200' 2400' ` C ity Of - HOPKINS comprehens i�ve � - plan � �� HOPKINS PARKS, 1988 19 Industry and Business Issues _ • What should be the role of the City in protecting housing which abuts or views industrial or commercial development? -.. — Along Excelsior Boulevard — Around the Downtown — Near industrial areas south of Excelsior Boulevard —� — Near industrial areas northeast of Excelsior Boulevard and Highway 18. � • What should be the role of the City in promoting industrial develop- ment and redevelopment, especially south of Excelsior Boulevard? � • How can the City improve the appearance of its industrial areas, � especially along Excelsior Boulevard? • Is there a need to increase the amount of industrial land? If so, are _. there any such locations which would not have a deleterious effect on nearby housing quality? • How can the City take advantage of the planned light rail transit stations? • Can Hennepin County be persuaded to make their 40-acre Depart- ment of Transportation site available for redevelopment to private _ uses? • Which locations should have priority for publicly-assisted industrial — redevelopment? Overall Community Structure Issues � • Do certain residential neighborhoods, such as Interlachen and , Belgrove9 feel disconnected from the rest of the community? Do they feel a stronger connection to another City?If this is a problem, what should be the response of the City? "" • How will the community maintain its family-oriented, small-town, single-family-housing character and image as the bulk of the 20 housing which forms this character ages and/or becomes less attrac- � tive in the market? Other Land L'se Issues • Should the closed landfill site in southwestern Hopkins be used as _ a public park? ,.. ,.� r n w s4 � r — 21 _ Land Use And Development Plan The Hopkins Land Use Plan is illustrated by Figure 3 and includes only --- minor changes from the present pattern of development, as outlined below. The principal thrust of the Land Use Plan is not to make wholesale changes in the pattern of development but, rather, to achieve � better quality site planning and use the land in a way which reflects its very limited availability and good access.The policies enunciated on the .... following pages follow that intention. 1. On the fringes of Downtown between First Street North and Excel- -� sior Boulevard, single-family and two-family housing will be allowed to be redeveloped into attached housing such as rental apartments, for-sale condominiums, and townhouses. 2. The Pines Mobile Home Court located at the southwest corner of _ Mainstreet and Shady Oak Road would be allowed to be privately redeveloped into a combination of mid- or low-density housing. — 3. The commercial property on the east side of Shady Oak Road could - be expanded slightly so that it extends to 20th Avenue along its entire length.This expansion would be allowed only with strict site � planning, traffic, parking, and architectural controls so that the a housing on the east side of 20th Avenue is protected. No access _ should be allowed to/from 20th Avenue. 4. The undeveloped site on the southeast corner of Excelsior �-- Boulevard and Eleventh Avenue would be developed for commer- cial use. '" 5. The former Minneapolis-Moline Company site east of Eleventh Avenue is designated for business park use,including offices,office- _ showroom buildings, research and development, and light industry under certain architectural and site planning conditions. _ 6. The former land�ll site south of Seventh Street is designated as a park. -- 7. The industrial site west of Highway 169 and north of Third Street - is planned for use as a major LRT station and parking area. �- 23 8. The current site of the Hennepin County Bureau of Public Service (Department of Transportation) at Fifth Avenue and Third Street ' South could become, if the County chooses to relocate this facility, ° a business park with mid-density housing in its southwest corner. _. 9. The greenhouse site east of Valley Park is planned for mid-density housing. — 10. The industrial parking lots located north of Second Street North- east on either side of Tyler Avenue would be allowed to be —' redeveloped into mid- and high-density housing. 11. The trucking site east of Blake Road south of Minnehaha Creek is planned for future use as high-density housing. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD POLICIES � • The City will work to protect the integrity and long-term viability of — its low-density residential neighborhoods and strive to reduce the potential negative effects of nearby commercial or industrial land development through zoning, site plan reviews, and code enforce- ment. � � • 'I'he infilling of vacant parcels and the rehabilitation of existing developed land will be in accordance with uses specified in the Comprehensive Plan. " • Incompatible land uses will be improved or removed where possible and the land reused in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. i • The City will not assist in the redevelopment of the Pines Mobile � Home Court but through private action change will be considered to a combination of commercial and mid-density housing. • The City will protect the visual integrity of the Highway 7 corridor through Hopkins by not allowing new commercial uses along that roadway. ' � � 24 ` MINNETONKA FIGURE 3 _, �S ,. /�� 4 �� . .c �F'��% '' LDR� '�� x 1� .. , r, �� I i—- ' ""��-� , �� MINNETONKA — �DR I ,r— 1�===—�. � � OAK RIDGE �i �••. GOLF COURSE i — ^^°R�IL�I � �i �4r - -- .._— -- --H-�`R t �`�__ ..�_ ��`- ( _� " r—� � �-1 �'r � � �� s��i��_-- �%«,��. \ .'�' jt r � '_' :�� S ld'J I ..p�+ � • � �MDR�I II l.� l �� J � '�'` i ..�s l_Jl"�,il. J��— " �r:.:. c�� I / ��r-1 � . ��...,� rl � R , r--��r--• ��, ► �%�'��j �f�� , . . . . . ��. I�_ `� -� �;.��.`��--�l-P J ` fr �j :r,, .�� L�R �1'�t � r -�_ $`�I F�� f� ..� I� �\� cn}� � � I�� 11�J( �•�`„'�'.� " ,v� ,""� '_--j \`' . � � Irl�r�1��"^L�.—�-'uaT'1J`' I �� \ � � � _ �� ' . � s r � i, � � �� 4 - - I �LDR�\ : � rbr+�l ��rici� � � '1 � �� / 1o�w.L - -i _ �'\ f .' � r � ��; . . �i -- — � � >: � � � �'�f..�� I a a ,.�E _----_��R�� `_.r+� i�!� , r�� "C • .� ' ' ��IBRME�AD�O�W�can o �...rs, •��1� � ` �- ' �,�� i ' ..:`°R' .� �ic`'o�rsE � W _!- �J �►.� '`�� _.�� S � � � �� _ Z I k �� .. �. �� i —�( ��i : �� : � � � � —�; Z ��I lRT � s � °J _ �� ,�� __._ ��9...._�_-_��J_��L.��.r-- --—r—rm;mmer nn - - I I I�� ;: —'� �^" EDINA / .— IL/ �� /�� i LLDRJ LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL �, ��w ,... ' ' ,j �/;� f _1� � MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL �i s ; ji�`J�� , {—, � � HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL � _ I '`'��j/,�� '' ; ; � ,� � COMMERCIAL � °S � ` �R ' f f � BUSINESS PARK " I� �� f�MOR ^ � � z � � ��j-:os r�`_/,j, � �_J INDUSTRIAL ` � � �j .r�� --1!",�t I � PARK j�� z � :J�� "� �OS� OPEN SPACE g ��. , '�.. 1 �� I E. I \ �I �,, I I a `S� SCHOOL �„�� MDR �T��_�J�� ;; o �Ch J CHURCH W PUBLIC I------�I --_-`'�-=—�I � MINNETONKA N 0 600 1700 2400 _ City Of HOPK I NS - comprehensiqe plan '� �� LAND USE PLAN _ � ... ... � � � i �� i i I� �l �l i� • The City will protect the visual integrity of the Highway 7 corridor _ � through Hopkins by not allowing new commercial uses along that roadway. ` DOWNTOWN POLICIES r • The City will continue to leverage private investment in the redevelopment of the Downtown through judicious use of tax incre- _ ment financing revenues and local capital improvement funds. • The City will help organize the Downtown landowners and mer- � chants and work with them to improve parking,access,appearances, and the land use pattern so as to work toward achie�ing the recom- � mendations of the 1988 Downtown market study. • The Downtown will be kept in a compact arrangement in order to _ increase its commercial function and also to protect adjacent residential areas. If an expansion of the commercial area is re- quested, the City will judge it on its effect on the residential area — and will require that the developer design the building and site to protect the nearby housing. — • The .City will continue to offer its commercial structure and sign rehabilitation loan program targeted to Downtown Hopkins as long ..� as it is financially feasible to do so and the need is there. • The City will allow the conversion of older single-family homes in — Downtown Hopkins(between Excelsior Boulevard and First Street North) to attached housing (townhouses, apartments, etc.). � INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS POLICIES • The City will continue to actively promote the development and redevelopment of its industrial areas through marketing and public — relations efforts,land use planning,and careful financial incentives, including the Hopkins Economic Development Fund and tax incre- y ment financing. • The Ci.ty will strive to leverage its valuable locational assets and .._ create industrial areas which have attractive buildings and grounds, " 27 .�.. no visible outdoor storage,high floor-area ratios, and high levels of � employment, especially employment in the professional and tech- — nical job areas. • The City will attempt to improve the appearances of all businesses �- in the Excelsior Boulevard area through public-private landscaping and fencing partnerships and local code enforcement. _ • The City will carefully study the implications for commercial redevelopment of the planned reconstruction, widening, and _ realignment of Shady Oak Road.The objective will be to create new commercial sites which are most appealing to the contemporary commercial market, which have good access, parking, and service — docking, and which can be well landscaped. • The City will participate in the redevelopment of deteriorated and/or obsolescent industrial and commercial areas when the use of tax increment financing is determined to be feasible and neces- — sary. • The City will encourage Hennepin County to relocate its Bureau of — Public Service and make that 40-acre site available for private redevelopment to offices and mid-density housing in conjunction T . with the development of a light rail transit station to the north. • The City will attempt to create a Redevelopment Ta�c Increment � Financing District including the Hennepin County site and other industrial or commercial sites so as to leverage the bonding power available and accomplish needed rejuvenation. '^ • Industrial zoning will be expanded only where and when it would T not have a detrimental effect on a nearby residential neighborhood. • The City will set and enforce high standards for all non-residential _ design.New business site plans will be carefully reviewed for build- ing orientation, parking placement, access, traffic impact, landscaping, screening of storage, and general architectural ap- ' pearance. • The City will assist owners of new businesses with the process of obtaining Small Business Administration loans and tax increment 28 � • When commercial property abuts residential property (especially across a street), extensive landscaping, fencing, and/or berming should be used to protect the housing. � - COMMUNITY STRUCTURE POLICIE5 -` • The City will work to unite with the core of the City those neighbor- hoods which are set apart by reason of highways or non-residential _ development. Approaches will include bicyclist and pedestrian paths or lanes, bridges, and regular written mailings to houses and apartments in those neighborhoods. • The City will protect the long-term viability of its greatest assest--its residential neighborhoods--through zoning, land use planning, " rehabilitation assistance; traffic engineering, parks improvements, and replacement and infilling with compatible housing styles. OTHER LAND USE POLICIES • The closed landfill in southwestern Hopkins�vill be reused as a park, and local residents will be actively involved in its programming and — design. - � LAND USE ACTION PLAN — • Table 3 on the following gage lists activities that the City should undertake in the coming years to implement the Land Use Plan. This list and the accompanying indication of responsibility, timing, � funding,and coordination should be reviewed and updated annual- ly. _ ... . _ 29 � 1 TABLE 3 LAND USE ACTION PLAN �' Action Responsibility Timing Funding Coordinate with — Allow rezonings consistent PC,CC Ongoing None Site plan review; with the Land Use Plan Planner street system Review commercial,industrial, PC,CC Ongoing None Land use plan; — and multi-famzly Planner zoning ordinance site plans Protect residential PC,CC Ongoing TIF,GF, Land Use Plan; � neighborhoods Planner CDBG zoning ordinance Remove incompatible PC,CC Ongoing TIF,GF, Land Use Plan; land uses Planner EDF zoning ordinance � Assist private PC,CC, Ongoing TIF if Land Use Plan; redevelopment,especially HRA necessary, Downtown Plan; in CBD and Excelsior Blvd. Dir of CD EDF,CDBG Excelsior Blvd. corridor Promote industrial and HRA Ongoing TIF if Land Use Plan; � commercial development Dir of CD necessary, Downtown Plan; . EDF,CDBG Chamber of Commerce Carefully expand business PC,CC, 1992-2000 TIF,EDF, County reconstruction area along Shady Oak Road HRA CDBG of Shady Oak Road Dir of CD Improve appearances along PC,CC 1990-2000 TIF,EDF, Land Use Plan; Excelsior Boulevard HRA CDBG Excelsior Blvd. Planner Plan. Reuse landfill as park PC,CC 1990-2000 GF, Land Use Plan. �' Planner Parks Fund ABBREVIATIONS: , PC = Planning Commission CC = City Council _ HRA= Hoplcins Housing and Redevelopment Authority D'u of CD = D'uector of Community Development TIF= Tax increment financing GF = General Fund — EDF = Economic Development Fund CDBG = Community Development Block Grant � • � �. ... TRANSPORTATION - Transportation Issues _ The transporation network of Hopkins, like the land development pat- tern,. is well established and has few opportunities for major restructuring. However, the planned light-rail transit (LRT) line to the -- center of the community represents one significant change. Two LRT stations are planned in Hopkins, one of which would be the temporary � end of the Southwest line: (1) immediately north of Second Street South near the Hennepin County Department of Transportation facility west of County Road 18 and(2)south of Third Street NE between Blake Road — and Tyler Street. -- ISSUES _ • What, if anything, should the City do in response to the LRT stations? — • What are the possibilities for reusing the abandoned Milwaukee Road railroad right-of-way through North Hopkins? Can Min- netonka, Deephaven, and Excelsior be convinced to participate — with Hopkins and the County on a regional trail along this right-of- way? Can the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority be _ persuaded to lease it to the City for trail use? • What will be the impact of the proposed expansion of Shady Oak — Road, and what should be done to minimize those effects? • Several roadways, such as Highway 18, Excelsior Boulevard, and ` Highway 7, divide the community. What can be done to reduce the devisive effect of those roadways? -- 31 � • Where should the LRT station planned west of Highway 169 be located, north or south of Third Street South? What would be the --� effect of this decision on land redevelopment opportunities and community image? • What should be the City's role and response in reducing congestion on the metropolitan highway system? _ • How can access be improved to/from the Super Valu site and between the north and south halves of the Super Valu site? — • Should Second Avenue South be connected to Westbrooke Way? � .. � ,- _ 32 � Transportation Plan The planned system of major roads in Hopkins is illustrated by Figure 4 � along with the light rail transit routes and station sites being studied in 1989 by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority. No major changes to the road system are planned for Hopkins with the exception — of the reconstruction and upgrading of Shady Oak Road by Hennepin County, a project not yet on the County five-year capital improvement _ program. � _ ROADWAY SYSTEM POLICIES • The City will continue to design and maintain its roads and review -' site plans according to the functional classification system of roads illustrated by Figure 4 in order that they serve the needs of the _ community and enhance regional efforts to reduce traffic conges- tion. — • The City will monitor whether excessive non-local traffic uses residential streets and, if so, e�lore means to minimize it. — • If Shady Oak Road is widened by Hennepin County, the City will work with the County and the adjacent landowners to ensure that _ there remains adequate landscaped setbacks along its edge. • The City will study the traffic impact of straightening the curvilinear _ . design of Mainstreet and weigh the effects in relation to the positive benefits that change could be expected to have on commercial vitality.This street change would be in response to the recommen- — dations of the 1988 Hopkins Mainstreet Commercial Market Study and consistent with the recommendations of the Downtown Plan _ chapter of this Comprehensive Plan. In conjunction with this project,parallel parking would be added to both sides of the street, except near left-turn lanes approaching the intersections. • The TH 169 interchanges in Hopkins which are planned for ramp meters and HOV bypasses by the Year 2010 are Seventh Street, • " - CSAH 3,and TH 7.While these bypasses and meters may occur on state or county right-of-way, the queuing of vehicles may affect _ ' 33 streets within Hopkin's jurisdiction. Therefore, the City will work with representatives of the state and county to ensure that (1) local — streete improvements are made in a timely manner if estimates indicate that queuing may affect local streets and (2) that adequate additional right-of-way is obtained for queuing lanes when acquisi- � tion opportunities present themselves (such as during land subdivision or redevelopment).Future implementation of inetering — and bypasses will be considered in any traffic or other improvements near these interchanges. • Westbrooke Way is not planned to be connected to Second Avenue South because of the anticipated impact on a major wetland in that � vicinity and because of the excessive traffic that would be added to Second Avenue. TRAVEL DEMAND 1�7ANAGEMENT POLICIES - Travel demand management (TDM) aims to increase the number and ' proportion of people who share rides and who travel outside of rush hours. These techniques are expected of communities in the _ metropolitan area served by congested portions of the metropolitan highway sytem and of cities that have regional business concentrations, both of which include Hopkins. It has been proven to be far more �— cost-effective to promate TDM and transit than to try to build more highway lanes. • Hopkins will review the site plans of major new business develop- ments to ensure that they contain provisions for preferential parking _ for ride-sharing vehicles. • The City will publicize the I-394 high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) — lane, known as the Sane Lane, through its community newsletter. • Hopkins has a mixture of low- and high-density housing and in- " dustrial and office businesses which may help reduce travel on the metropolitan highway system by allowing people to live ne�r their _ - place of work.The Land Use Plan continues that pattern. � 34 —' S£ Nb'�d la� aN`d ��I�I� _ SJlbMadOa �JOf'�dW u�Id - a,aisuaua,�du�o� � SI�IxdOH �O ��t � — ;004Z ,OOLI .009 0 H � � t/�N013NNIW % - .. � G - -��'� .. =/'II' ' ` Z � � �lnoa la� � �� :. � �anln� ��aissod ° ° ° ° = � 13 Z/ i. �� ` "'Ao.. s � ' � �lflOa la� a3NNb'�d • • • • �� ,� o i;., ,�' I3'°l� _� �.. , Z : SNOIld�O� ' �� "-_- � � _ � ��s � , � ��"��rrr��m �'S 1S HlL��k I�y �:� I � ___ � NOIl`d1S la� 43NNd�d �� ==� a01�3��0� � � � _ � �� J'-1�L�� .��j�� o �_-��s� ` �;�,, �. �- „� �y� . �� 0 �dia�lad aoNiw �— _D �� i � � � �`dla3lad 31`d1a3Wa31Nl � _ , — = I ,-�' . " � � VNIa3 �.0��/� , .1---'---r'�"`-1 _---• ^�-"s-�-r,�p• <-�T . ISl3JX3 �i �i$ s �1 I IIo �� 3 I� t� � I� I�i I� � �I'�f , -"I��JI� _��JI�� , .�� ~ I_�II� I� �1 Z o � � --__ Ji , � ��T y s • �� . .� m r' -�swmae�t^ z �T E � � I! � �� <�Im � � � —I C� ��I,��I,�� e .o �it „_ y� Ri U e ��f �� m �i �� ii m i, � � S ��< �. i � �. � �h �;� � � �I �Ix��,—.�� ' � IM i 133li1SNItlW ` '� pp� � �� ,�� :� � _ - � `�_��I� I I� �= ��Y D � �I�I $ � lf01S 30%3 �� ., ' � I `^� \ �I-1r-�I"��—'.--�' a .�^F I'1SQS`—� J'�O l9 �• . i '� 'OA .�� : 7,1 '� �F ;I �i �� L � i;�� pd � '� . ' I � I . ' h � � Z 4� � I I II I � I� � � n : i � � I s .. �� _ '�L� •�� J�IJLJu ��J' - . J : �. _ . �� , ' , ,—j^i[�, ^'1 '1S NZ�n, . -..� ` £ � ��, � �� e o �. ,,. ��-�- �� „� ��_ '� _ �. �� " " — {- .�� " �ls ae' I�,�� : I `'.K" � �� " I_ � . �� :.p�� .�� = �b�aa�o on� � � 19 - . , � >,� .� . �� y� L�u _� • • 1 3'N '1S 3NVl � ��✓�P�'9��. 4�� !d/y�,� ,;;�� IV s ��C -•s>' o; ___ �. i .,. �'L�i �� -n•�� _--- �� i� � � � ��. . .{. " � � � �U � � L �� i € ! � I� � v I EL ` �� o �. �� ' x • .� ; N � Ib�N013 IW � — � �� o � � a � � �N ��`--"�� • .� � ��o .� � s ' �. 'OAlB „�yNN013NN1 �� ' �� \ ,�.. ..�— �� Tmvr' � -" � � 3anrJ�� tl)IN013NNIW E` : � � • The City will seek to improve the vicinity of the Mn/DOT park-and- ride site during its Excelsior Boulevard improvement study in hope — of increasing its usage. Also, the City will consult with Mn/DOT during that project to see whether addditional parking space is needed on City-owned land there. T • Hopkins will urge the Minnesota Department of Transportation _ (Mn/DOT) and the Metropolitan Council to conduct an ongoing educational program to encourage ride-sharing, staggered work hours, and off-peak travel. Such campaigns can be most effectively — mounted at the metropolitan level. TRANSIT POLICIES Effective use of transit, which is defined as all forms of riding together, can make a significant difference in the level of congestion in certain corridors. Hopkins is currently served by seven Metropolitan Transit ' Service regular bus routes, a 56-car Mn/DOT park-and-ride lot along Excelsior Boulevard, demand responsive service for the elderly and ` ! disabled through Metro Mobility and Hopkins Hop-a-Ride, and the Minnesota Rideshare carpooling program. Very importantly, the �-Ien- nepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) is planning to — build a light rail transit route through Hopkins with two stations in the community, possibly as early as 1992. ! Hopkins is committed to fostering an environment supportive of transit and ridesharing because it recognizes the benefits which good access can ... have on economic development and general quality of life in this com- � munity, not to mention the fuel savings and reduced air emissions. Light Rail Transit • The City will encourage the HCRRA to construct the Minneapolis Southwest Corridor light rail transit line as soon as feasible, includ- ing the two planned stations in Hopkins. The LRT line is included -- on Figure 4. The City, through its representatives, will continue to participate actively in the system planning. • The City supports the proposed locatio n�for the two light rail transit stations in Hopkins and will work with the HCRRA on station _ 36 ' , planning and design. The two station locations are shown on the Land Use Plan,Figure 3.Once the station plans have been finalized, the City. will respond by amending upcoming landscaping and sidewalk plans for the Excelsior Boulevard Corridor to complement — and support the LRT station area design. • The City will publicize the expected location of the two LRT stations — in its community in order to promote the use of this new travel mode and also to make the general public aware of the easy access _ Hopkins enjoys to the central city (and from the central city out- ward). _ • The City will attempt to maximize its benefits from the major LRT station near TH 169 by encouraging Hennepin County to relocate its Public Service Bureau to allow the creation of an office park and r new housing on that site near the station. Additional mid-and high-density housing is planned on the fringes of the Downtown ,_,,, near the LRT station. Also, sidewalks will be built along Excelsior Boulevard to the station site as part of an overall improvement of that corridor. MTC Bus Service � • The City will work with the MTC to create new or improved bus waiting stations along its routes through Hopkins, especially along — Excelsior Boulevard and in the Downtown.Transit facilities will be ' studied as part of the Excelsior Boulevard Corridor improvement � project (See the section of this Comprehensive Plan addressing Excelsior Boulevard.)The acquisition of land for bus pull-outs will be considered. • The City will review major new developments for the inclusion of bus shelters and pull-outs if such sites are along MTC bus routes. • The City will coordinate its sidewalk plans for Excelsior Boulevard ' with bus waiting areas. Demand-Responsive Service � • The City will continue to do what it can to facilitate Metro Mobility and Hopkins Hop-a-Ride. � 37 BICYCLIST AND PEDESTRIAN POLICIES • The City will construct a bicyclist and pedestrian path parallel to and just east of Highway 169 right-of-way from Second Street NE to — Highway 7. This path will be built in an abandoned railroad right- of-way and will connect to a path to be built by the City of St. Louis Park. � • The City will explore with the railroad, local residents, residents of _ Minnetonka,Deephaven,and Excelsior,and Hennepin County the possibility of using the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad right-of- waywhich runs diagonally across the City as a landscaped pedestrian ' and bicyclist path until an LRT line is ready to be built along that right-of-way. , • The Citywill continue to build sidewalks along all local and collector streets and along certain minor arterial streets such as Excelsior — Boulevard and Blake Road. • Hopkins will urge Hennepin County to build or maintain paved — shoulders along Shady Oak Road, Minnetonka Boulevard, and Highway 7. TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN • Table 4 on the following pages lists activities that the City should � undertake in the coming years to implement the Transportation ' Plan. This list and the accompanying indication of responsibility, timing, funding, and coordination should be reviewed and updated ,_ annually. , 38 ' TABLE 4 - TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN Action Responsibility Timing Funding Coordinate with Maintain local streets PW Ongoing GF Utility projects Minimize excessive nonlocal PW; Ongoing GF Land Use Plan; — traffic on residential Engineer Transportation streets P1� Participate in Shady Oak PC,CC 1992-1996 None Transportation — Road design Engineer Plan;Land Use Plan Study straightening of PC,CC 1989-1990 GF Downtown Plan; _ Mainstreet Engineer Transportation Plan Facilitate freeway ramp City Engineer 1990-2000 Mn/DOT Mn/DOT i metering and bus bypass lanes Promote travel demand City Engineer Ongoing GF Transportation � management Pl� Review major industrial PC; Ongoing GF Transportation site plans for preferential Planner ' Plan ._ parking Publicize I-394 Sane Dir of CD Ongoing GF Mn/DOT Lane — Continue mixture of PC Ongoing GF Land Use Plan land uses Planner Improve vicinity of PC,PW 1992 GF Excelsior Blvd. park-and-ride lot Planner Corridor Plan Promote use of transit PC;CC Ongoing GF MTC — Participate in LRT PC;CC Ongoing • None HCRRA planning Planner Engineer — Coordinate local plans PC;CC Ongoing GF HCRRA with LRT station Planner locations — Promote new public and Planner Ongoing GF MTC private bus shelters Engineer Coordinate sidewalk plans Engineer Ongoing GF MTC — with bus station locations Build bike path along east Engineer 1990 GF side of Highway 169 - 39 TABLE 4 (Cont.) TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN Action Responsibility Timing Funding Coordination with '� Request temporary use of CC 1989 None HCRRA HCCRA right-of-way across Dir of CD Central Hopkins as bike _ path Build sidewalks along all Engineer Ongoing GF,TIF streets � Urge County to maintain Engineer Ongoing None paved shoulders along Shady Oak Road,Minnetonka Blvd., — and Hvty.7 ABBREVIATIONS: — PC = Planning Commission CC = City Council — HRA= Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority PW = Hopkins Department of Public Works Dir of CD = Director of Community Development Mn/DOT = Minnesota Department of Transportation � MTC= Metropolitan Transit Commission HCRRA = Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority TIF= Tax increment financing '� GF = General Fund � ..� 40 DOV'VNTOV'VN HOPKINS - Analysis Of Downtown Hopkins - ASSETS AND LIABILITIES _ A study completed in 1988 by Laventhol and Horwath, Inc., identified the following assets and liabilities of Downtown Hopkins. — Assets _ • Downtown Hopkins presents a strong sense of place. • A large share of people who are found in Downtown Hopkins are _ likely to be shoppers. • There is a strong base of existing establishments, such as auto — dealers and other special purpose retailers,who draw people from outside the Core Trade Area, — • There is a strong local base of employers that draws many to the city. • There is a strong interest and commitment to the community. • The business community is service oriented. — • Downtown Hopkins "cuts across" a broad range of lifestyle and income groups. � • Local residents are supportive of local business establishments. ' _ • The City government is active in community development. _ 41 Liabilities • Downtown Hopkins lacks image and appeal to people outside the immediate area. • The district lacks a"critical mass" of store types and sizes. • Downtown Hopkins does not operate as a unified business district. � • Downtown Hopkins lacks strong leadership. _ • Shopping activity is not related and lacks focus. • There is poor vehicle accessibility. • The commercial area's configuration is inconsistent and does not — support consumer behaviorse • Pedestrian access is poor. � • Competing shopping areas are strong. � • Downtown Hopkins does not adequately tap the existing base of potential customers. : _. � 42 i ► i i i i i i � i i i i i i i i i i FIGURE 5 � I 0 i i � � � : I • Ij I I m L ' I � � I 1ST SIT.N. Ii I,O � f i I`� � I . . . � � i . �. . . ;. .: ._. �_ .i . I I 1 I i� . � �� Ij � � �f� � -�- � � � �� I �"�� i � V� �f� 'I �� ' .� � ��i ! � i � � �� '$,.<n;� � o�� - ,, f a �� ` � .- ' - � � � \y� . �� r� I l �.I t i � ' � . , � � ��q�q,� -m�' � l � � �.� , o I _ t _ � �� `,� � � � io I �_� �m � � p� � � � � e� �; I � ��i ,, 1 � � � �, �� .' ..... � I. _�—_ . b---�,;.__ i� � 1..: 40� 4. — .i II – - . ' J G �: � - o l �� U� I i ;L�1 �.,�� '� �— �� P 1+ � �,. ':' � �� _ � __ , � � f ��;' �"' ��h � � � .. ��'� �' � �`�1 !� � i� 1� �� _ , �I ■ ,� � �� _ ___ �_ � a M�INSTREET � � �� _ � ._ � � ` �I I � � �' � ��j �� 1� v �� _ � �. � — _� - �: i� ��,° I� "�; i � f � , � .„�� j �i '� ; 'I � i � � !' � I � iG � �i I`� � . . I" ' ,.�� I �� -- I '�° I � � �� G> E,.,,_ ; � � i' ,I�- I �� .`S�a � �.:�� = i� �� :� �i I�° - i �� ,� � � � � _ — � iW ' . ;; � ' �� - ,� '� �� II� �il i� ° �_ :{� � � , �:. L I [� 7 h ^ I , .__ � . . I i I� �I� . .. Q � , y+ � �'I `'�F��'.{"'��.').�'.' �� I i }� f' � �lyj Q� � Q ' � (.A� ,I�� —..__L—J� �IY.f�" 'G �II � 5�� I I � I �� ,� I�h7 i=l ' � - J t1l_� I' � �.._. ' 1S7$. � _- .. I �I '� ..f� I I _ ' .� , l�� I�� a --I� � � ,l� il�� ,i� I,o�� \0, � . I` �� (' � I '.GpvM�N ' ~ L—_ I` �— l . i'�� II^I� II �I� t ' _ � I I � . '4.4 Iwl Otpa� >I � l — , , < LEGEND: '< � .�.��<' �o ' W � J� � i�� VICE � ___ � � �� '< �,,, 'j` � Iml �� i� _ RETAIL AND SER � � � ~ �� , i� � -� � i �_�, • ,. - , BUSINESS _ � i : �, F--� �, � '� � �� -��E� s�o"e�yO' � ��.a OFFICE � �' y °' � `E` /� � � INDUSTRY h li .�f _ I�d I�, .i �� _ . "' �1 ' �+� '�-' HOUSING ., �- -- , ,;:.o ��-� I - — - - ' �� — - - �'� - ---- REUGIOUS,FRATERNAL AND --, _ co.no.a _ _-= - PUBLIG ORGANIZATIONS _ _ - - ;�:E':; PARK • I _ . I I N O 150' 300' 600' City Of HOPKINS � comprehensi�ve p1�n DOWNTOWN �1�1�11� • DEVELOPMENT , 1989 Plan For powntown Hopkins _ MARKF,T STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS The 1988 Hopkins Mainstreet Commercial Market Study included these recommendations: • Development efforts should be targeted toward encouraging _ growth and expansion of commercial establishments that address two market orientationse (1)the local convenience specialty market and (2) the destination specialty market. — Primary efforts should be to encourage the development of retail establishments that meet the convenience retailing needs of the —' local resident and worlcing populations. Secondary efforts should be targeted to encourage the growth and ' development of inerchants that serve the destination specialty • market. • The store mix in Downtown Hopkins should be expanded to address the two market orientiations discussed above. The following types _ of businesses should be recruited to locate in Downtown Hopkins: For the local convenience specialty market: convenience specialty -- retailers, food stores, and entertainment establishments. For the destination specialty market: auto-related products and — � services,professional services,maintenance and repair services,and nuscellaneous destination specialty retailers. Do not attempt to compete for store types which do not specifically serve a niche of customers and which depend on "walk-through" traffic.Downtown Hopkins lacks sufficient critical mass for retailers — that attempt to draw customers who are in the area for other purposes. There are many of these establishment types existing in _ sunounding retail centers. ' • Encourage commercial development to be clustered close to the • _ - four-block core business district and where it reinforces and is consistent with existing establishment types. � 44 — • Reinforce the convenience-oriented drive-in and drive-out be- haviors of Downtown Hopkins consumers through physical design. • Attempt alternative solutions to employee parking problems. • Build upon the area's strong sense of place, and improve the sur- rounding market area's awareness of the community. • Support an organization that represents leadership, direction, and coordination. • E�cpand joint advertising and promotions for the businesses in the district. PHYSICAL PLAN . Land Use Plan The Downtown Hopkins Land Use Plan is illustrated by Figure 6. Downtown Hopkins is planned to continue its tight-knit pattern of commercial development along either side of Mainstreet extending down to (and in some locations across Excelsior Boulevard). Commer- _ cial activity is targeted in the vicinity of (but not limited to) the four-block-long core from 8th to 12th Avenues. Mid- and high-density housing surrounds the commercial core along with park and public + offices.Low-density housing should continue in neighborhoods north of � First Street North and west of 17th Avenue. Thus,the plan envisions that the present pattern of commercial,residen- tial, and public land use would be continued with only a few exceptions — as follows. • More intense residential development replacing the single-family — housing between Sth and 7th Avenues south of Main Street. • More intense residential development replacing the single-family housing between Sth and 8th Avenues south of First Street North. _ • If St. Joseph's Church and School determines that all or part of its parking and playground between 12th and 13th Avenues is not needed, the City will allow conversion to high-density housing. _ 45 • The abandoned railroad right-of-way which angles across Central Hopkins is proposed for conversion to a County bicycle path. — Redevelopment Plan There are two primary locations in which redevelopment should be explored and encouraged in Downtown Hoplcins.They are: — • The Suburban Chevrolet site between llth and 12th Avenues on the south side of Main Street. — • The several parcels between Sth and 8th Avenues which abut the north side of Main Street. —' The Citywill carefully examine the possible application of tax increment financing to leverage private reinvestment on these properties if proposals are offered which are consistent with this Plan and the 1988 Hopkins Main Street Commercial Market Study. _ Tl�e rehabilitation of facades and signage will continue to be promoted through the Downtown Hopkins Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Pro- — gram and the Commercial Signs Rehabilitation Grant Program. Urban Design Guidelines = The following guidelines will be used by the City in reviewing new �— development and redevelopment. The overall intention is to maintain the appearance and character of the historic buildings throughout the commercial area, both in the historic core and in the supportive nearby areas. Buildings • Buildings should be kept held to a relatively small scale consistent — with the historic Downtown. • Building heights in the historic core should match that of adjacent — structures,with two or three stories being the desired height in that area. Building heights outside the historic core may vary. _ 46 I I I I I I I I I i I I I I I I I I I ,� � r�� . � �� : �:��.�� r�-�. � F I G U R E 6 '� �� '��t � � � LEGEND : �: � �� , , ,sa �, �� '��a� �� ,� � � � � +� � ;, �'$� ` � � : C COMMERCIAL y��s: �� "°+�� `� < ��,��✓ �, � � #;�` � - LDR LOW-0ENSITY RESIDENTIAL �. �� > �� ,.,� �> ��`��'� �. ,�► �;;. � ' �u`� �o ..'�� "uiP'�' ' .�': i 3j '° �� ,� ,„ ,, , � MDR MID-0ENSITY RESIDENTIAL �� ,� � � �' � �.`�� b� �°� �� HDR HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL � �` ��, � �_��e � � �� "� �� ♦�� '� �� PUB PUBLIC ��» � � �� ,� � � � �`� � OS OPEN SPACE � �_�.. ,�'��; .�� _ m. � � '�� -� � � � � � �e �'a� �� } � . '� � �.�' �� . � r �r ��' ■� i�ISTORIC CORE � ; � �� t ��-� � ` +�� '� • � � � +'�� r� ■•� MAJOR OFFICE AREA ,�" '��. � Y � � � �� ♦ �� a � a� �. �`�� ♦ ��F 1 � :. � �'�,"�. ,� � �� `�, � �, w�� ......... 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Z' �`a �.".�'k .. .�,� .; � � .�w�o� . �� „,� . . � ,�...:: � <<:�-� , � ,�P �� r�� . � _� �r d.�. � � :... �� ..�.. �$ ,r ��,� � �� , r � � �. �- : �,.� _ '��- ��. �� ..�''$ � ' °� � ��,,..�.,�r �� _ c �- �; .. * �Y > �� ,�;� �, r �"� P-�� t ;�� i �� > �q �e�� ` � � �� :;.��} (.. � -�� ' �';�:�'�,. ,��" ,�' � 4�•(',i+� ,� . � �, <�,�- �'�' n i �'P^� � �• � �� .x,£�!s � `d°c-eA - ��,� !' ,TAP'-YY'. �� f�i'M>. .«»�ao m. ..ern' �9� �'thV'1. .. .. . . �:. . �" � N O 150' 300' 600' c �t� of HOPKINS comprehensi�ve plan DOWNTOWN ��f�� LAND USE PLAN • Maintain as much building line along Mainstreet as practical. Where buildings must be set back, a strongly landscaped edge — should be established to maintain some visual line along the street. • A window line should be maintained in the building facades along Mainstreet. • All commercial buildings along Mainstreet should have rear entries � designed to be attractive, functional, and identifiable. • All building entries, front and rear, should make provision for the ! protection of users from the elements by overhangs,recessed door- ways, and/or awnings. —' • New buildings along Mainstreet should attempt to imitate the win- dow proportions and placement established in the Historic Core. • Exterior building colors along Mainstreet should be in the red- _ brown spectrum so as to be consistent with those of the historic core. Parking _ • The Downtown Parking Committee should continue to revise and refine the Downtown Parking Plan, calling upon the assistance of a — professional traffic and parking consultant whenever major ques- tions arise. The Parking Plan should be utilized whenever development or redevelopment occurs and its recommendations � ' should be continuously pursued. , • Parking lots should be kept small and close to the businesses served. Larger parking lots should have visual breaks of four-season landscaping treatment. — • Parking areas directly abutting the rear of commercial buildings should be paved and landscaped.These spaces should,of course,be reserved for customers and not occupied by employees. Emphasis should be placed on easy and pleasant customer use in all seasons. � • All parking lots should have perimeter landscaping consisting of trees and shrubs seleeted to withstand the harsh conditions. — • All parking lots must be paved with asphalt or concrete and properly maintained, striped, and landscaped. —' 48 ! • Wherever possible, east-west rear alleys should align with one _ another so that circulation parallel to Mainstreet is promoted. • The exterior design of any new parking ramps should be supportive — of the appearance of the Historic Core.No parking ramp should be allowed to abut Mainstreet. — • As redevelopment occurs, the City will explore the possibility of removing and relocating the parking which exists along the south side of the north frontage road of Excelsior Boulevard between Sth and 9th Avenues and replacing those parking bays with landscaping consistent with a landscaping master plan for Excelsior Boulevard. Signage — • Signage should be carefully controlled. Signs on the historic build- ings should be wall-mounted and placed in the historic sign band, materials should be compatible with the building (i.e., wood or — metal rather than plastic), and plastic panel signs should not be allowed on these buildings. • The City will maintain and improve the signage along Excelsior Boulevard which announces entry to Downtown Hopkins. Special — landscaping with seasonal color will be used to set off this signage � as long as it does not interfere with traffic safety. — Streets • The City will study the traffic impact of straightening the curvilinear — design of Mainstreet and weigh the effects in relation to the positive benefits that change could be expected to have on commercial _ vitality.This street change would be in response to the recommen- dations of the 1988 Hopkins Mainstreet Commercial Market Study and consistent with the recommendations of the Downtown Plan — chapter of this Comprehensive Plan. In conjunction with this project,parallel parking would be added to both sides of the street, ` _ except near left-turn lanes approaching the intersections. • A comprehensive planting plan should be devised for the sidewalk _ portions of the streets. This plan should differentiate between the major streets (Mainstreet, Sth, 8th, and llth Avenues) and the secondary streets. Special treatment should be given to Excelsior _ 49 Boulevard and to the entrances to Downtown at Sth, 8th, and llth Avenues. — • If Mainstreet is straightened,it should be considered whether or not trees should be reintroduced into the sidewalks, as the historic streescape had no treeso As an alternative to street trees in the historic core, sidewalk landscaping could be used in other areas, — such as along Mainstreet outside the core and along other streets in Downtown, especially Sth, 8th, and l lth Avenues.Tree placement and species along Mainstreet must be sensitive to the needs of the merchants to have their signs visible to the passing traffic. • The City will work to upgrade alleys and utilities in Downtown. • Fifth Avenue will be renamed Hopkins Avenue. _ • The City will e�cplore whether there are alternative locations for snow storage rather than the open space along the south edge of — Excelsior Boulevard. - Lighting — • A comprehensive streetlighting plan should be developed and adopted which accentuates and identifies Mainstreet, Sth, 8th, and — e llth Avenues, and the three entrances along Excelsior Boulevard. • Street and private ligHting should also be designed to improve security and should not be allowed to cast glare onto nearby housing. Identity • Downtown Hopkins will be identified through the entry monument, — streetlighting,and street landscaping projects described previously. West Main Street — • West Mainstreet will be more strongly linked to the Downtown core � through an extension of the Downtown street landscaping and lighting design (although perhaps at a lower level of application) and through the redevelopment of the Shady Oak Road commercial _ area. . : 50 I f I i I I I I I I I I f I I I I I I �� . �r ��.� �� _��.� .� FIGURE 7 — � � ,s �� q� �� -� � °� � �: x n �: « ��` �� „ �•` :� � ,_ �� , �� t� � � � � � , �, �y� �b � - d¢ . ac ��iR�� .�� 3� .�� w . ...4 �� g � �� v 1 � � � e �►� �� " } � «:.� >'ae *t. �a ,�, �� ° � � r� , �,�� , � ��„ � ��e, �, �� .� � � � � � t � i a, :� � a ,,, � ��, r � �'.� #�� t s�. � �`� '� t. � �� ♦ � � � ,� � '� � t � � ��'� �,� � �•.� ��>` � �� r,� +�+►� � �p � �`�"��' � t � ��. � . �� \r�:-..�� Aa.,& � s' WR�` �, ��',�. 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A��r ..�,�...�_' � � .'�� ., � ' +'a�* �,,. .: �!`y3�g �#j�� :.i � , i i � z,.ir� `�r��,�+� � .�.�a+'' �' ,�} g�� A�..f" A��, � �� t. .� R -_�a� � .,�a >`��3::a�`Sy'�' � �+,+. .w.... .�� .... �r.. pn 1� i�i� N O 150' 300' 600' Citq Of HOPKINS o comprehensiqe plan DOWNTOWN �It1�11' STREET SYSTE�VI PLAN Site Plan Review • All new construction along Mainstreet between 4th and 12th Avenues should be subject to site plan and architectural review by the City Planning Commission to ensure consistency with these — guidelines. • Any new multiple-family housing in the Downtown will be subject to careful site plan review, especially for traffic access. DOWNTOWN ACTION PLAN • Table 5 on the following page lists activities that the City should undertake in the coming years to implement the Downtown Plan. _ This list and the accompanying indication of responsibility, timing, funding,and coordination should be reviewed and updated annual- ly. — 52 � TABLE 5 - DOWNTOWN ACTION PLAN Action Responsibility Timing Funding Coordinate with Redevelop single-family HRA,PC, Ongoing TIF if Land Use Plan housing into multiple family CC necessary, buildings D'u of CD EDF _ Assist redevelopment of HRA,PC, Unknown TIF,EDF Land Use Plan Suburban Chevrolet site CC D'u of CD Assist redevelopment of HRA,PC, 1990-1993 TIF Land Use Plan area between Sth and 8th CC SA Avenues north of Mainstreet Dir of CD EDF + Continue facade and signage Planner Ongoing CDBG rehabilitation — Review new construction PC Ongoing None Land Use Plan for compatibility with Engineer Transportation Plan historic character and Planner powntown Parking _ traffic and parking impact Pl� Continue to follow and PC Ongoing None Land Use Plan refine parking plan Planner _ Engineer Assist improvement of rear HRA Ongoing TIF Parking Plan of buildings along Dir of CD CDBG Mainstreet EDF �• Upgrade alleys and Engineer Ongoing GF utilities SA — Improve entry signage Planner 1990-1994 GF Excelsior Blvd. SA Corridor Plan Study traffic unpact of Engineer 1990 GF Transportation Plan — straightening Mainstreet Design comprehensive Planner 1990-1992 GF,SA planting and lighting plans TIF,EDF Extend Mainstreet Planner Engineer 1990-2000 SA landscaping and lighting TIF,EDF west to Shady Oak Road — and County Road 3 Rename Sth Avenue CC 1990 None U.S.Postal Service Hopkins Avenue ABBREVIATIONS: " � PC = Planning Commission CC = City Council HRA= Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority TIF= Tax increment financing -- GF = General Fund SA = Special Assessments CDBG = Community Development Block Grant Funds(federal) _ EDF = Economic Development Fund - 53 � EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD - CORRIDOR PLAN The planned pattern of land use along the Excelsior Boulevard-County Road 3 Corridor is illustrated by Figure 3, Land Use Plan. There are — notable changes proposed to the pattern in the following locations: • Immediately west of Highway 169 (Old Highway 18) between the • � railroad tracks and Third Street South the Hennepin County Rail- road Authority plans to acquire property for a light-rail transit _ parking lot. • The 40-acre site occupied by the Hennepin County Department of � Transportation south of Third Street South and west of Highway 169 should be developed with offices on its northern half and attached housing on its southern half, assuming that the County is willing to move its Transportation Department offices, shops, and yards. With its visibility from and easy access to Highway 18, and _ with the advent of the nearby light-rail transit station, this site will . be extremely attractive for redevelopment. -- • The former Minneapolis-Moline site east of l lth Avenue and south of the railroad tracks is planned for redevelopment as a Business _ Park. • The small undeveloped site in the southeast quadrant of the inter- _ section of Excelsior Boulevard and llth Avenue is planned for commercial development. _ 55 EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD CORRIDOR POLICIES The City of Hopkins realizes that the Excelsior Boulevard is very impor- tant to its fiscal health,job base, and image. Therefore, it will take the following actions to solve identified problems and capitalize on oppor- — tunities. Blake Road to the Railroad Crossing — • The City will e�lore with property owners the possibility of public- — ly-assisted redevelopment of this area, possibly creating a tax increment financing district including this area and the present Hennepin County Transportation Department site. ' "" • The Citywill create a master plan for public and private street-edge landscaping and lighting and enter into discussions with landowners as to how to finance and implement these improvements. The City desires that some of the landscaping occur on private property — because there is insufficient room in the public right-of-way in many locations for a sufficient treatment. Some landscaping improve- ments will have to await property redevelopment. � • The City will require visual screening from Excelsior Boulevard or _ Blake Road of all existing outdoor storage and truck docks. This - should be accomplished through a combination of building place- ment,fencing,and berming and planting.Visual screening does not � mean in all cases that truck docks and major elements of visual clutter should be not visible at all from the public roads,but that the _ view should be at least softened with natural material in the foreground of the views. In the case of outdoor storage of materials or goods,fencing and landscaping should be used to provide a high — degree of enclosure. Outdoor storage should not be allowed with new development. • As redevelopment occurs,the City will exercise greater control over site plan design, attempt to reduce the number of driveway access _ points to Excelsior Boulevard or Blake Road, and establish a con- sistent setback of buildings from the public roadways as redevelopment occurs. — 56 — • The City will identify non-conforming signs and require strict com- _ pliance with the City sign ordinance. • The City will request the electric, telephone, and cable television ._ companies to relocate overhead wires underground as redevelop- ment occurs. — Super Valu Vicinity _ • The City will attempt to acquire the former Soo Line train depot located south of Excelsior Boulevard and either rehabilitate it in its present location or moye it to the planned light-rail transit station — west of Highway 18. In either location, the City will formulate a master plan for the landscaping of the depot site and display the name "Hopkins" on the building as a local landmark. • As with other sections of the Excelsior Boulevard Corridor,the City _ will require and assist landowners to screen outdoor storage and truck docks. — • The City will attempt to negotiate a public-private lands�caping master plan with Super Valu and the Soo Line Railroad. — Highway 169 to llth Avenue _ • The City will formulate a boulevard landscaping master plan and attempt to negotiate a public-private agreement for its implemen- tation. • Vacation of unneeded railroad right-of-way will be sought by the City and the City will propose the sale of unneeded right-of-way for -` development purposes. Standards will be established for minimum lot sizes, access, and landscaping. � • Access to development sites will be carefully reviewed and intersec- tions will be kept as far from Excelsior Boulevard as possible. • The feasibility of a sidewalk along Excelsior Boulevard to the light-rail transit station will be sought. - _ 57 • The City will encourage Hennepin County to relocate its Depart- ment of Transportation and make that site available for private — development. • The City will maintain and improve signage,lighting, and landscap- — ing at the intersections of Excelsior Boulevard and Sth,8th,and 11th Avenues announcing entry to Downtown Hopkins. Special _ landscaping, especially seasonal color, will be added to the extent that it does not interfere with traffic safety and can survive the salt and snow. — • The City will request the electric, telephone, and cable television companies to relocate overhead wires underground as redevelop- ment occurs. Eleventh Avenue to Shady Oak Road � • The City will include this section of the Corridor in its master plan � for landscaping and lighting,particularly the edge of Central Park. - • Finally,the City will work with Hennepin County and the U.S.Post ^ Office to sign County Road 3 and Excelsior Avenue as Excelsior Boulevard, which is the name this roadway bears in both Min- — netonka and St. Louis Park. EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD ACTION PLAN Table 6 on the following page lists activities that the City should under- take in the coming years to implement the Excelsior Boulevard Corridor Plan.This list and the accompanying indication of responsibility, timing, — funding, and coordination should be reviewed and updated annually. . ,� 58 TABLE 6 . - EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD ACTION PLAN � Action Responsibility Timing Funding Coordinate with Assist redevelopment of HRA,PC, 1990-2000 TIF,EDF Land Use Plan area between Blake Road CC � and Soo Line Railroad Dir of CD Create master plan for PC 1990 TIF,EDF Land Use Plan public and private landscaping, Planner County DOT � lighting,signage, Engineer and utilities Require screening of CC � Ongoing None Corridor Master Plan � outdoor storage and truck Planner docks Carefully review new site PC Ongoing None Land Use Plan — plans Planner Corridor Master Plan Retire non-conforming signs Planner Ongoing None Corridor Master Plan _ Relocate overhead utilities Engineer Ongoing TIF,EDF Corridor Master Plan to underground Utility companies Rehabilitate former Soo HRA, 1994 Grant Corridor Master Plan _ Line train building Historical Society ' Seek vacation of unneeded Engineer 1995 None Corridor Master Plan railroad right-of-way LRT System Plan Install sidewalks along Engineer 1993 GF,TIF, Corridor Master Plan both sides of Excelsior EDF LRT System Plan _ Boulevard Encourage Hennepin County' HRA,PC, TIF Land Use Plan to relocate its Bureau of CC Transportation Plan _ Public Service and Dir.of CD LRT System Plan redevelop the site Designate County Road 3 as CC 1993 None U.S.Postal Service .._ Excelsior Boulevard across the City r, ABBREVIATIONS PC = Planning Commission _ CC = City Council HRA= Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority PW = Hopkins Department of Public Works Dir of CD = Director of Community Development — Mn/DOT = Minnesota Department of Transportation MTC= Metropolitan Transit Commission HCRRA = Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority _ TIF= Tax increment financing GF = General Fund EDF = Economic Development Fund - 59 .� .. � � � � i r � ... ..i •.. i �r . � ... � HOUSING - Analysis Of Housing Stock � CURRENT HOUSING CONSIDERATIONS � The housing stock of the City of Hopkins is described by the following data from the 1980 U.S. Census of Housing and by the subsequent text. — Characteristic Hopkins Metro Area Number of Housing Units 7,257 796,508 ` Units by Tenure Owner-0ccupied 37 % 64 % _ Renter-Occupied 63 % 36 % Persons in Units by Tenure � Owner-Occupied 49 % 74 % Renter-Occu ied 51 % 23 % _ Median Value of Owner-Oc $64,600 $64,100 cupied Units Median Rent $285 $236 — Occupied Units by 1.01 Perso per Room Lacking Complet Plumbing r _ Owner-Occupied 0 % 0.01 % Renter-Occupied 0.07 % 0.05 % Persons in Units with 1.01+ Per sons per Room — By Tenure Owner-Occupied 0.96 % 2.65 % _ 61 Characteristic Hopkins Metro Area Renter-Occu ied 1.84 % 1.51 % ^ By Plumbing Complete Plumbing 2.65 % 4.05 % Incom lete Plumbin 0.14 % 0.12 % Persons in Units Lacking Com 0.84 % 0.77 % plete Plumbing Year Housing Units Built __ 1979 to 1980 2 % 4 % 1975 to 1978 9 % 9 % 1970 to 1974 24 % 13 % 1960 to 1969 24 % 21 % 1950 to 1959 18 % 17 % 1940 to 1949 13 % 9 % 1939 or Earlier 10 % 26 % Units by Number of Units at Ad dress -- 1 49 % 69 % 2to9 15 % 11 % — 10 or More 34 % 18 % Mobile Home 1 % 2 % -� Number of Vacant,Boarded Unit 0 % 0.01 % Rental Units Vacant for 6 Month 0 % 0.25 % �' or More Source: U.S. Census of Housing, 1980. � HOUSING STOCK The overall condition of the housing stock in Hopkins is good,and there � is no section of the community which has a noticeable concentration of � physically deteriorated units. Although the older units,located between .Downtown and Highway 7, do tend to have more defects and economic � obsolescence than the newer units, there is apparent pride in ownership of these single-family structures,and they are generally well maintained. 62 " _ A great number of rental apartments and townhouses have been built since the 1950s in Hopkins, and proper maintenance of these units is a concern of the City. Presently the City has no standards for the main- tenance of rental housing beyond the Building Code. Tenure r' One of the outstanding facts about the Hopkins housing stock is the unusually high percentage of renter-occupied units (60 percent) com- _ pared to owner-ocupied units (40 percent). Nearly 87 percent of the units built since 1960 are renter-occupied. — Housing Affordability � The housing stock in Hopkins is below the metropolitan mean and median in terms of purchase cost and rent cost. Purchase by first-time buyers is aided by the numerous small, older homes of Central Hopkins — and medest ranch-style homes of the East End Neighborhood, parts of the Interlachen Neighborhood,and the Park Valley and Peaceful Valley Neighborhoods.Interlachen,Park Valley,and Peaceful Valley also offer opportunities for move-up buyers. Much more expensive homes are available in the Bellgrove and Knollwood Neighborhoods. (See Figure -- 8, Hopkins Neighborhoods.) The relatively large number of rental apartments and townhouses also offer choices for households who do not wish to or cannot afford to purchase shelter. �.. The City of Hopkins owns and maintains 86 dwelling units rented to _ low-income households. They are in two buildings near powntown (76 units in one building, 10 in the other). � A small percentage of households of low income living in Hoplcins receive rent assistance through the federal Section 8 Rent Assistance Program administered by the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelop- ' ment Authority.This program,however,does not come close to meeting the need for housing affordability in Hopkins or elsewhere as levels of � funding have been reduced annually throughout the 1980s. The 1990s may also witness the expiration of many long-term federal contracts with landlords for the set-aside of units to be used in this program. 63 Market Response to the Hopkins' Housing Stock Despite the aging of much of the Hopkins' housing stock and the shortage (in older units) of some contemporary conveniences, floor ._ plans, and living area, houses are reported to sell relatively quickly in " Hopkins and rental vacancy rates are lowo However, there is a growing danger that the size and design of many Post-War houses may combine ~ with physical deterioration to produce a downward spiral of conditions, values, and market response. Presently,Hopkins' convenient location and the many job opportunities and social/cultural amenities of the western suburbs seem to be keeping , _ the housing market strong. The City must be vigilant to protect its housing stock from influences such as excessive traffic or incompatible development which would threaten its neighborhoods. Housing main- -' tenance assistance programs and low-capital efforts such as housing code enforcement may be essential. Residential Rehabilitation Loan and Grant Program In response to the need to promote private reinvestment in the aging housing stock, the City has been administering a program of grants and loans to owner-occupants with lower incomes. Since 1975, this program ^ has assisted in the improvement of 175 housing units in all parts of the city.This program is funded by federal Community Development Block � Grant money and Hennepin County. Development Standards — The Hopkins Zoning Ordinance includes five districts which allow � detached housing on parcels ranging in minimum size from 6,000 to 40,000 square feet.Five other districts allow attached housing,including duplexes, four-unit buildings, townhouses, and apartments at densities ^ ranging from 3,500 to 1,000 square feet of lot area per unit (12 to 43 dwelling units per net acre).The R-4 and R-5 Districts (27 and 40 units _ per net acre)are quite"urban"in density and provide only token amounts of open area, reflecting Hopkins' character as an older community with intense development around the Downtown and near other commercial " areas. 64 � 73 MINNETONKA FIGURE 8 ` �j"°"�� - , ;. � MINNETONKA'�g BIVD — �` 0 .\� Q �—r y .Ees n��( � N �` O ¢ V, � MIhINETONKA oI '� p"° � ;�t -` �� DRILLANE/ ""-�`�-� `�� OAKRIDGE ¢ �'�, �KN LWOOD w OAK RIDGE � ¢ � �- \ � _ SOUTH� = ° �� --- _ .. ,� : ,�� ' �`` .Y. �, ;N AS1�'�. -- �`J� M�NNF'' ;�ig ? BF�Y � NJ LAKE S7��K o � ��q_ %/ r.,n„ r---�r-� ''M��S 9 `S� �✓ J ,�r, �' ' � `� � :B� � � 6i �� ` "�� ..:ba�.� �I _3A ^�-��,'��' ,/ yi � �AKWOOD � % - �PKI �5.,� = ,, �IOr1P�IcSINS = ' ,� s A r 3'� 2N S� � A��E].d��-� .;-1 . �.. _ - •£ .. . . _— �� ,'ll- I^ r1 ��i s i r � s � , � � : .,.f'� �Of :�� • '� :I� � ' �� .A � � , . iI � EXCELSIORBLVD. a �Y 1ST�ST�N � . / �� A' ,�r =1 ^I�I �I��_� r�, �" _ �i _ �s�, � j � ��A � � �� i =1 � ,.� � �f ei� a ' Q ow .�'r =f i ��__� Y MAINSTREET � (� � �„ ,,,, O I . �,� " �'� "'i � < s� �JINFTERLA�HEN m � z . � � .� .� w I � � ��,�,� NTRAL� �I(�P�II�'a �� :' ' � � G�� '.Lf�ST END y .._��__ - - o �� w - r, � +� `L-' �-- _ - ' a '�� ` . �� 'r ° F r Z � �I ,!I _ ^ � �..�a.S�i °��/i'�/ I' , � � � m �I � 3 �,� ., �+ � � —IN � —' - � � - -'_ �� EX ELSI R BLVD.` i �/ � -_r-- ��s� � EDINA ,--�fi�� o _ s ~ –' _ � PARK �_ I _- �At�E,Y `� �� < � 3 WESTBROOKE ;�� PE�CEFWL ��' o� .� WEST� •��s� _ Nvn'��1� �_; �', ��. (n J11 �I � � �� 3i �! !�1 j� 1 Q ��a a�i �_ ��I7TH STF S �[ � = - x _ Z �� , �`c� � .r � 0 \ ��:.s �- ;. � _ � W \ '�°jv,. . \`�l ' Z ti TBROOKE`' , � .. _ '`FAST ' � ��'� �,� -� �.`'L.� � -�_ 'o \ —� � '; w � -- , � --� MINNETONKA � N � o aoo• ,200• zaoo• -- Clty Of _ HOPKINS comprehensiqe - pI�n HOPKINS J ��C"' 65 NEIGHBORHOODS Housing Production Since 1980, only 1,124 new housing units have been built in Hopkins as the City has become nearly fully developed in its residential areas, and � only a modest number of new units have been created through land redevelopment. Community focus is now toward housing maintenance and isolated new production on infill lots or on redevelopment sites. ' Expected Housing Market Trends Major changes in the composition of the population across the nation, the state, and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area are expected to be felt — in the housing market in Hopkins during the next ten to thirty years, if they have not begun already. The large groups of Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1965,sharply boosted housing production during the 1970s and 1980s as they formed new households. The Baby Boomers have been followed by a generation that is substantially smaller whose -- impact is already being felt in terms of school enrollment.As these two cohorts move through their life cycles, certain broad impacts are ex- pected in the housing market: . " • The demand for rental housing will be reduced as renters move into owner-occupied structures. • The demand for new housing will be reduced by the late 1990s , because there will be a shrinking number of new households being formed. It may become more difficult to sell entry-level housinge • Household composition will shift.It is estimated by the U.S.Census Bureau that between 1985 and 2000, 69 percent of the growth in new households will be in nontraditional households. Almost 14 percent will be in female, single-parent families whose median income is less than half the regional median, with over 30 percent — living in poverty. This may not only affect the housing market, but also place a greater strain on the public systems to provide more affordable housing options. � • Subsidized housing may be reduced.The changing household struc- _ ture is occurring at a time when the future of much of the region's subsidized housing is unclear. During the 1990s, more than 5,000 contracts for subsidized uruts between the federal government and — 66 � . ^ ! investment housing owners will expire. Whether or not these will be replaced is unknown. • Rehabilitation needs will increase. It is estimated that by 2000, 42 _ percent of the Hopkins housing stock wi�l be over 40 years old and 10 percent will be over 60 years old. This trend, coupled with low revenues triggered by higher vacancy rates, may make rental — property more difficult to maintain.However,reduced demand may give consumers more leverage, requiring landlords to provide a more competitive product. • The need for specialized housing for the elderly will dramatically _ increase as the Baby Boomers begin to reach their 60s,starting after 2006 and peaking after 2025. ._ Between 1988 and 1990 major changes in the housing market are not expected, and the future can be predicted with some confidence. Most of the housing growth is expected to be in the developing suburbs for ' both population and households. Large segments of the population will enter the 25-44 age group. Between 1990 and 2000 the regional population will have grown by five percent, and the Baby Boomers will be between ages 35 and 64, while --- the percentage of young adults will decrease. The developing suburbs will continue to grow, although not as fast as they did in the previous decade, as the number of annual housing starts will be cut to about half � of what it was in the 1980s. _ By 2010, the Baby Boomers will be between the ages of 45 and 64 and their children will be entering the housing market. Growth in the developing suburbs will continue to slow and some will experience -� problems similar to those now faced by the central cities. It will become more difficult to sell a home, and buyers will have many choices. The ` impact of the aging Baby Boomers will become more evident as the � housing market is forced to respond with more and better products for this group. Further details on the future of the Twin Cities housing market are available in "'I'he Effect of Changing Demographics on the Twin Cities � " Area Housing Market,"Twin Cities Metropolitan Council, 1988. 67 HOUSING ISSUES The following housing issues were identified from the preceding obser- vations and from discussions with City staff and community R representatives. • Will housing quality be maintained in Hopkins? ' • What should be the role of the City in helping to maintain the quality _ of housing in Hopkins? • Should additional renter-occupied housing be encouraged in Hop- _ kins? • Should the City reduce the allowable densities of multiple-family -- residential development? � � � 68 Housing Plan The objectives of the Hopkins Housing Plan are as follows: � 1. Preserve the quality of the community's residential neighborhoods. 2. Redevelop certain targeted low-density residential or low-intensity � non-residential locations into attached housing. _ 3. Participate in the development of affordable housing for the elderly so that people who have lived in the community for decades can remain and also to make single-family houses available for young — families. 4. Participate in programs to provide the City's fair share of housing — for the economically disadvantaged. - NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION _ • The City regards the preservation and protection of its existing residential neighborhoods as its most important task.Therefore,the City will work to protect the integrity and long-term viability of its ` neighborhoods and strive to reduce the potential negative effects of nearby commercial or industrial land development through zoning, , site plan reviews, and code enforcement. • The City will strictly enforce its municipal regulations pertaining to _ housing and yard maintenance so as to protect residential property values. _. • The City will support housing maintenance through continued ad- ministration of its Residential Rehabilitation Loan and Grant Program. e • The City will study the idea of encouraging private housing rehabilitation and building code compliance by requiring that home + sellers have their structure inspected and display a housing condi- tion checklist to prospective buyers. This policy is intended to � promote housing rehabilitation as a condition of the sales agree- ment. ' 69 • The City will continue to enforce a maintenance code for multiple- family housing. _ • To protect residential areas adjacent to Downtown Hopkins, the Downtown will be kept in a compact arrangement. — • The infilling of vacant parcels in and near residential neighborhoods and the rehabilitation of existing developed land will be in accord- — ance with uses specified in the Comprehensive Plan. • Land uses which are inconsistent with the Comprehensive Land Use — Plan and incompatible with housing will be improved or removed where possible and the land reused in conformance with the Com- _ prehensive Plan. • The City will enforce high standards for all multiple-family residen- � tial development. Included will be the aspects of building massing, parking location, access, traffic impact, landscaping, exterior ar- chitectural design, fencing, trash handling, and parking ratios. " HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT - There are certain locations in the community where it has become _ appropriate to allow and encourage housing redevelopment, and ex- amples are listed below.In these locations,the City has indicated its land use intentions through the Land Use Plan and the Zoning Ordinance and — Map. The City will allow the private market to respond to those local controls and will,on a case-by-case basis,consider financial participation _ in housing redevelopment projects when that is the only means of achieving needed and demonstrable public benefits consistent with this Comprehensive Plan. — Examples of locations for redevelopment to attached housing follow. • The fringes of the Downtown within the boundaries of First Street � North, Excelsior Boulevard, and Fifth and Twelfth Avenues. • The Christian Salvesen site on the east side of Blake Road at Second Street Northeast. • Existing multiple-family sites which have become physically and economically obsolescent. _ 70 '" HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY Hopkins will monitor the number of elderly households in the City _ . through the 1990 Census and will gauge the demand for elderly rental and elderly owner-occupied housing units by monthly cost through staff and consultant surveys conducted by the Hopkins Housing and — Redevelopment Authority. When it is determined that there is a sig- nificant housing market in Hopkins and the immediate surrounding community of elderly households which is not likely to be properly served by the private sector, the Hopkins HRA will initiate a process to meet , that demand. The HRA will check the availability of outside and local _ funds with which to assist a private developer in leveraging private financing for such a project. Prospective sites for new housing for the elderly should have transit service nearby and be within walking distance � of convenience shopping. -� HOUSING ASSISTANCE _ • The City will participate in the rent assistance programs of Hen- nepin County and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Housing Authority and advertise those programs locally. • The City will consider using such tools as revenue bonds, tax incre- ment financing,and Community Development Block Grants(along � with other public funding sources as may be available) to provide its "fair share" of rental housing for low-income households, espe- -- cially the elderly. The City will enter into such partnerships in a business-like fashion,seeking to improve the quality of such housing and/or ensure that rents remain perpetually within low-income — target limits. The City will not jeopardize the quality of existing housing and neighborhoods through the siting of subsidized hous- _ ing. _ HOUSING ACTION PLAN _ • Table 7 on the following page lists activities that the City should undertake in the coming years to implement the Housing Plan.This ,., 71 I � � I , I , list and the accompanying indication of responsibility, timing,fund- ing, and coordination should be reviewed and updated annually. '- ... . " , . � , , � 72 � � ; TABLE 7 - HOUSING ACTION PLAN Action Responsibility Timing Funding Coordinate with Enforce regulations which PC,CC Ongoing None Land Use Plan protect residential areas Planner Administer rehabilitation Planner Ongoing CDBG State of Minnesota � loan and grant programs Study housing inspection Building 1990 GF Other cities ` program Inspector Continue to enforce a Building Ongoing GF maintenance code for Inspector „ multi-family housing Infill vacant parcels Planner Ongoing None Land Use Plan Remove incompatible land PC,CC Ongoing TIF,EDF Land Use Plan — uses H� Planner Enforce high standards for PC,CC Ongoing None Land Use Plan � multi-family housing Planner Redevelop low-density PC,CC Ongoing TIF if Downtown Plan housing in Downtown D'u of CD necessary, — EDF Redevelop Christian Dir of Open TIF if Land Use Plan Salvesen site to housing CD necessary — EDF Redevelop obsolescent Dir of CD Ongoing TIF if Land Use Plan multi-family sites necessary � EDF Continue to provide rent Ongoing Section 8 Hennepin Co.HRA assistance to needy Program Metro HRA _, households Provide City's"fair share" Ongoing CDBG,TIF Hennepin Co.HRA of rental housing for low income Other state Metro HRA _ households andfederal programs ABBREVIATIONS: -- PC = Planning Commission CC = City Council HRA= Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority � Dir of CD = D'uector of Community Development TIF= Tax increment financing GF = General Fund SA = Special Assessments — CDBG = Community Development Block Grant Funds(federal) EDF = Economic Development Fund _ 73 � ... ... � -. .� ... r +.. � 1� �� COMMUNITY IMAGE ` Community Image Issues The image of Hopkins has suffered because of insufficient land use � planning in its early development,by being divided by several highways and railroads, and by lack of proper design control over industrial and _ commercial development.These effects are especially noticeable along most of the Excelsior Boulevard corridor. Highway 169, in addition to being a major community divider, is lined in many places with concrete — noise bamers and is not well landscaped. Highway 7,however,presents an attractive appearance which is in keeping with the adjacent residential _ neighborhoods. The entrances to Hopkins are not well announced,which decreases the _ identity and pride of the community. Likewise, because certain neigh- borhoods are physically separated from the residential core, they may lose some attachment to this community, especially in the minds of ` non-residents who would not be knowledgeable of municipal boun- daries. It is unfortunate that the aspects of Hopkins which are seen most frequently by residents and non-residents alike are some of the least — attractive the community has to present. This greatly diminishes the positive effects which may be derived from the sound residential neigh- borhoods and the strong sense of small-town community which pervades Hopkins. _ Figure 9 indicates the location of the major image issues and problems. � ISSUES • Is the City satisfied with its current physical appearance? 75 • Should the image of Hopkins be improved in the minds of (a) Hopkins residents and (b) non-residents? — • How can the community's sense of"place"be bolstered? • What should be the role of the City in improving the image of the Excelsior Boulevard corridor? • How can the neighborhoods be more clearly identified? • How can the entrances to the community be more clearly marked? � • How can the location of the Downtown and its entrances be more clearly identified? • Does the 1960's serpentine design of Mainstreet and the condition _ of the Downtown building facades present an image consistent with the recommendations of the Laventhol and Horwath market study? _ • Do the City and the School District market themselves properly to . prospective residents (especially families) and to businesses? ._ � .. w 76 � 73 MINNETONKA I V FIGURE 9 .r ' �/ , �_,..=\'� I � L /\� o�' W��—"� �,I,I I ' �� ..� -r��l _ � � ��,,� �� I � • � �le� � Q;� _ ��I 1� � � � � Undefined �ir�'� "°""��=�" �� Community Edge o` . _ ��— U�L �� ' ...� --�-- 1-- -� � MIWNETONKAI ! � � pttractive ResidentialZ � ; �-�-p, ,�t ! Attractive ' Areas. Strong Visual x I Open/ .� �Larger Ties to Minnetonka. o �--'� Golf ` '�^ ,�mes^- � i Mixed Residential- _. ._._, �� Commercial Corridor. ` � o I Unattractive Street Edges. 'J � � �w , � � Mixed � � � I Images � �� . � � �� ,. .nr �\No �<' �� ''-' _ _—�r � ,° IView °'-l="'� � � �l' �`« i i��.41H '�.- , / -:___��- � ��.� -� � ',' �' � �� - ; ., � �"� 7 �� // �� -'�'�i�6��\NNFT %P �I y' n �_ �/ . _,:- LAKE ST�'N.E..., I � �— / / �.J��-.��N�Kq�� /� S ,� : .� . — . _ �.�' ` . r y �si � - —= � '.�J�'�'�' '�'Lq\R � , � :�-.t"�, u '�'. r. _, � . � r � � 1 �i i��il ��c� � � 'i �� `�� , � - _3R�DiST.. N�__�` Iff4��lf1�� _.y ancu � �" � � - 7��`i��-- \� /e 7 � � r^ I \ �. _ ',�� . � D�Iminar�t Resider�tial , , � �' � � _ y � `. �r�l�age ot Gu�utlity�� n . ��sr;.�f � . .�- � A�� '�__ �� 3� �,\y� _2N si. N. .�— �.,=.°_,�_�=� ._ _ ..-�,/ �/ ', /��:.�- -��.`---� .. III` ) �,.�=T--"" /�''. ` ain tree /�� / ; .;�� - - - , 90o eart of;Hapki�s. - . � � � o; -,�,� ,� ��g�� '.1 tren g}Irt1a e Vanes. �' � � ` 9�T 9 Y' i �� v�� all is LBndYnark,� ��_ Community Image Plan _ • The City will make a conscious effort to improve its physical and non-physical image to residents and non-residents. Community — image improvement will become a major area of effort for the City for the following reasons: (a) The residential neighborhoods of the community are its greatest asset and depend on a high-quality environment for _ their long-term viability (b) The appearance of the community suffers from public and '— private neglect in some locations,poor planning, and develop- ment standards which are no longer appropriate for a west suburban community with a small land supply (c) The community is highly visible to non-residents because of its � good access and high employment base (d) The City's neighbors, especially Edina, Minnetonka, and — Plymouth, enjoy high-quality land development and enforce strict design guidelines, allowing Hopkins to strive toward similar quality urban design from the private sector and in its ! own efforts. ' • The City will work to improve the appearance of the Excelsior � Boulevard Corridor through land use planning, site plan reviews, stricter site plan review standards, a cooperative public and private — campaign to landscape the edges of the roadway and all properties visible from that roadway, subdued signage, and the placement underground of electrical, telephone, and television wires. (Refer � to the section of this Plan addressing the Excelsior Boulevard Corridor.) _ � The image of the Highway 7 corridor will be protected by prohibit- ing additional commercial development and through public and — private landscaping. • Entrances to the community will be clearly identified through art- ^ fully designed entrance signage. 78 — • Major entrances to neighborhoods will be identified through sign- age. • The City will build attractive monuments announcing and identify- ing Downtown Hopkins at the east end of Mainstreet near the Highway 169 eacit ramp and at the major entrances to Downtown along Excelsior Boulevard. + • The City will adopt and enforce site planning standards for all multiple-family residential, commercial, and industrial properties — which are intended to raise the level of design quality of new developments. � • The City and the School District will work together to create a marketing and public relations plan directed toward current and _ prospective residents, realtors, and prospective businesses. • The City will work to bolster the image of the Downtown as a — friendly, service-oriented small-town convenience and specialty shopping locale, consistent with the recommendations of the 1988 Downtown marketing study. • The City will continue to actively support the local festivals _ (Raspberry Festival, Mainstreet Days, Heritage Days) to help en- sure their success.This is a means of heightening public awareness of the identity, character, pride, and unity of the community. COMMUNITY IMAGE ACTION PLAN • Table 8 on the following page lists activities that the City should _ undertake in the corYung years to implement the Community Image Plan. This list and the accompanying indication of responsibility, timing, funding, and coordination should be reviewed and updated — annually. 79 TABLE 8 IMAGE ACTION PLAN - Action Responsibility Timing Funding Coordinate with — Enforce site planning Planner Ongoing None Land Use Plan standards for all new commercial,industrial,and multiple-family residential T developments Improve appeazances of Planner 1990-2000 TIF GF, Excelsior Boulevard -- Excelsior Boulevard EDF Plan Protect image of Hwy 7 Planner Ongoing None Land Use Plan Corridor Transportation Plan — Identify entrances to City, Planner 1990-1995 GF Downtown Plan Downtown,and neighborhoods Excelsior Blvd.Plan with signage _ Create a public relations Dir of 1990-1995 GF School district plan in conjunction with CD the school district — Bolster small-town image Planner Ongoing TIF Downtown Plan of Downtown CDBG EDF — Continue to actively Dir of Ongoing GF Festival sponsors support the local CD festivals _ ABBREVIATIONS PC = Planning Commission CC = City Council HRA= Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority — Dir of CD = Director of Community Development TIF= Tax increment financing GF = General Fund EDF = Economic Development Fund ' � � g� � SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM - PLAN (This section has been adopted from the previous Hopkins Comprehen- sive Plan.) The City of Hopkins in 1968 prepared a Comprehensive Sewer Plan which identified a number of sewer system improvements which were — intended to provide the City of Hopkins adequate sewer system capacity to accommodate full development of the city's land. Most of these _ improvements were subsequently made resulting in only minor modifications remaining to serve the proposed development to 1990 and 2000. The Metropolitan Reorganization Act of 1974 requires each local unit of government in the Metro Area to prepare and adopt•a local sewer policy plan. '1'he purpose of this plan is to determine the impact of the local planning policies and systems on the regional system plans for _ expansions and modifications.'Tl�e Council has adopted a procedure for participation in the Commission review and content guidelines for preparation of the Comprehensive Sewer Plan to ensure conformity to — regional development policy and metropolitan sewer system expansion. The handling procedures state the adoption and review procedures are _ set forth in Appendix A of this report. Hopkins, previous planning efforts and capital sewer projects have — resulted in a functioning system that requires little future modifications. The current planning activities and projections of land use, population, housing, and employment result in only moderate growth, well within — the capacity of the system. For this reason the Comprehensive Sewer Plan is not so much a proposal for action or vast capital e�cpenditure, but _ a report of the status of the existing system. However, in order that Hopkins' plan may be considered in the context of the regional system, the following report is structured in the outline format provided in the 81 Metropolitan Council's Waste Management System Guide for"Content of L.ocal Comprehensive Sewer Plans." The format for the following plan ' '- ° will be to first state the content guideline in the Waste Management Guide in italics and then indicate what action Hopkins has or will take ,,., in response to the Sewer System Plan guidelines. B. Content of Local Comprehensive Sewer Plans � 1. Local government units are expected to use the 1980, 1990, and 2000 population and employment data included in the policy plan for — overall direction on development. If a local unit of government deter- mines that the programmed availability of inetropolitan sewer service conflicts with local need, it may request the Council and Commission to consider amendment of the policy plan or development program. Such requests will be considered pursuant to administrative and opera- — tional procedures established by the Council. Appendix II of the Comprehensive Plan indicates Hopkins 1990 �- projection of population and housing by traffic assignment zone based on the Land Use and Housing Plan Proposals.The projected - 17,280 population in the Hopkins'planing is 8 percent higher than ' the 16,0000 population projected by the Metropolitan Council.This is considered within reasonable planning tolerance of Metropolitan , _ Council's projection and no request has�been made to modify the projections.Hopkins has not made a projection of employment and, therefore,accepts Metropolitan Council's estimate as a reasonable — projection. � 2. The local sewer policy plan submitted to the Commission for review — should be consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan, if any, of the local government unit. The extensions of laterals, design flows and other items discussed in the Comprehensive Sewer Plan have taken into consideration the _ plan proposals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. a. Community Physical Facilities _ Surface water drainage d�stricts, including area or subarea boun- daries, are of district and subdistricts an acres9 drainage direction, — points of collection, ponding areas, rivers, streams,floodplains, ponds, lakes, and wetlands. 82 Surface water drainage districts are shown on the storm sewer drainage area map located in the map pocket in the back of the — report. b. Existing and Proposed Sewerage Facilities 1) Location, size, capacity and design, flows for existing and proposed laterals and trunk sewers, lift stations,forcemains + and septic tank pumpage and other waste disposal sites in the collection system. The information requested for the e�cisting development is shown on the Sanitary Sewer Map located in the map pocket — in the back of the report. As shown on the map, the city's e�cisting development is adequately served except for Min- neapolis Floral and 15+/- dwellings which have their own septic system.All but three of the undeveloped parcels or areas in the city have sanitary sewer immediately available for — development. The capacity of the Hopkins sanitary sewer system is a function — of the lift station capacities in the system. There are three lift stations in the system controlling the capacity of the system; _ capacities summarized as follows: Lift Station Incoming Flow Capacity of _ Location Capacity Pipe Incoming Pipe Lake Street 5,000 GPM 33" @ 0.10%grade 8,100 GPM — Valley Park 5,000 GPM 21" @ 0.15% grade 2,025 GPM Minnehaha Creek 4,000 GPM 18" @ 0.12% grade 1,800 GPM TOTAL 14,000 GPM 11,925 GPM _ The two areas in the city which will require sewer laterals to accommodate the development projected on the Land Use Plan are located in South Hopkins.A total of 688 new housing — units are projected and both sites are anticipated to be developed before 1990. — The area located in southeast Hopkins is presently the site of Minneapolis Floral, a greenhouse operation, presently using 83 an on-site disposal system. The city has acquired the property around this site for park and flood plain protection and has — agreed through this process to permit the remaining +/- 16 acre site to be developed to 288 units. Sanitary sewer lateral service to this site would be brought from the existing 8"seroice '� in 8th Street south at 6th Avenue South and to the Park Valley lift station.An 8"lateral to the site would be required based on _ the following flow calculation: 288 units x 2.19 persons/D.U.-631 population x 90.2 GPCD = — a total flow of 56,916 GPD A third area in the northwest corner of the city has service — immediately available, but would have to be connected to the Minnetonka System on Minnetonka Boulevard. As shown on the Comprehensive Plan,this area will accommodate 20 dwell- ing units and would have a flow generation as follows: 20 units x 2.99 persons/D.U. -60 population x 90.2 GPCD = a total flow of 5,412 GPD 2) Any sewerage facilities being used jointly with another local governmental unit indicating area of service, the number of connections and service f low volume. — Two areas of the city are developed with sewerage flow _ directed into the neighboring communities system.These two areas tota192 connections and a total flow of 22,061 gallons per day (GPD) to the Minnetonka system. The areas and flow — calculations are summarized as follows: Gallon Flow Flow — Area Connections P/DU Per/Person GPD Bellgrove 84 2.99 80.2 20,143 � West of Hilltop Park 8 2.99 80.2 1,918 — The connections indicated above all flow out of Hopkins into the Minnetonka System. Other joint facilities use includes seven homes in Edina connected to the sewer system in Inter- 84 — lachen Park. The flow from Edina into the Hopkins system would be 7 DU x 2.99 persons/DU x 80.2 GPD - 1,679 GPD. 3) L�cation,type and capacity of all existing treatment facilities forpublic use whethermunicipally orprivately owned should be identified including their appropriate National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)permit. Backwash water settling pond at Well #4, 1401 Elmo Park Service Road. This serves the iron removal plant at that site — which treats water produced by Wells#4,5 and 6.Settling pond treats 100,000 gallons per backwash with a frequency of back- wash of 1 to 2 times per week depending upon water demand; � NPDES Permit No. MN0039471. 4) Existing sewered population and estimated increase to sewered population, by year,for the next five years. 1979 15,000 1980 15,200 1981 15,400 _ 1982 15,600 1983 15,800 a 1984 16,000 5) Existing and projected (for next five years) sewered connec- tions and/or resiclential equivalent. �� 1979 2,662 1980 2,670 — 1981 2,680 1982 2,690 _ 1983 2,700 1984 2,710 _ c. Community Development 1) Description and location map of existingsewerageproblems, _ including on-site sewage disposal systems, malfunction problems and needs associated with conti�cued operation of existing treatment facilities, whether municipally or privately — owned and sewer system capacity limitations. 85 The 1972 upgrading program basically resolved sewer system capacity problems within Hopkins. They system has total _ capacity in excess of the development growth projections. The Meadowbrook lift station, however, has caused some — problems in recent yearse The city proposes to upgrade the pumps and to reduce the flow to this lift station by changes to _ the system that would redirect some of the flow to the Blake lift station at Excelsior Boulevard and County Road 20. The capital improvements are required within the next five years. — 2) Existing land use, including existing (where practical), proposed streets, highways, open space, etc. consistent with � an adopted comprchc�asive community plan. , (See Land Use Section of Proposed Comprehensive Plan) — 3) Existing zoning, proposed land use, and existing platted areas with and without structures,including desigrcated open � space,f lood plain and similar restricted areas. (See Land Use Section of Proposed Comprehensive Plan) e 4) Anyproposed changes an governmental boundaries affecting the community, including any areas designated for orderly � annexation to the Minnesota Municipal Commission. The Comprehensive Plan proposes three minor boundary ad- � justments involving less than seven acres of land. All of these areas would be served by short extensions of existing laterals. — d. Design Consideration for New Sewerage Facilities 1) Design time period and design population The Sewerage System Plan was designed for a 20-year period — and an ultimate population estimated to peak at 17,280 by 1990. 2) Design per capital f lows, average and maximum. Laterals are designed for 400 gallons per capita per day _ (GPCD) maximum flow and 100 GPCD average flowo Trunks are designed for 250 GPCD maximum flow and 100 PGCD average flow. — 86 ' 3) Minimum design standards for the control of inflow/infiltra- tion into the sewer system. Acceptable Inflow/Infiltration design standard for the system is 500 gallons per inch of pipe diameter per mile. 4) Types, amounts and strength of waste water including domestic,commercial, industrial and institutional as well as identification of individual industrial dischargers whose average daily flow exceeds 50 thousand gallons or exceeds _ five percent of the total local governmental flow or contains toxic wastes. ._ 5) Sewer system design data for areas of service outside the community boundaries. — No areas outside of the city area proposed to receive service from the Hopkins system. -- 6) Time schedule for construction by year for the first�ve year period and by five year periods for twenty years, including a local sewer construction program adopted by the_local — governmental unit. Connection to the metropolitan and/or local system is required within two years of service _ availability consistent with the Council policy plan and the q Waste Control Commission rules and regulations. _ The trunk sewer system within Hopkins is complete requiring no additional trunk facilities. Only a few lateral extensions are required and will be built only on petition by the benefited — property owners with all cost assessed to the petitioner. 7) Time table for upgrading all nonmunicipal treatment plants ` that do not meet state effluent and water quality standards as identified in the NPDES permit or for terminating plant _ operations. No action required. e. On-Site Sewerage Disposal Facilities _ 1) Areas of the community where on-site systems are per�nitted ' as temporary and permanent facilities delineated on a map by U.S. Soil Conservation Service soil class including high 87 ground water table,steep slopes and underlying rock close to ground surface. — 2) Regulations and ordinances adopted by the governing body for design, installation, operation and maintenance of on- —' site sewerage disposal systems. 3) Administration procedure of pernzit to install system includ- — ing fees, licensing bonding of installers. 4) Enforcementprocedureofconstncctionincludinginspection — policy and personnel qualifications to insure construction in accordance with adopted standards. _ Currently only 15 +/- private on-site disposal systems are operating in the City of Hopkins. The city as policy no longer _ permits new development without sanitary sewer and water services available and used by the development. The existing on-site systems are all currently operational. Should any of ' these systems fail the city will either require they be connected to the public system or if this is not possible, the system may be _ rebuilt.The city will contract with the inspections department of a neighboring community with on-site disposal regulations for assurance that the reconstruction of any on-site system is in � accordance with acceptable health standards. ' , , 88 � � Appendix A _ Planned Land Use in Each 1'raffic Assignment Zone (Acres) - 'I'raftic Assignment Zones Planned Land Use 786 787 788 789 790 802 - Low - Density 126.78 137.10 203.46 96.69 30.03 114.54 Residential Medium - Density 17.36 30.74 136.35 - Residential High - Density 33.31 47.10 89.68 32.39 _ Residential Commercial 53.88 11.16 89.U7 41.23 1.24 Industrial 9.50 139.15 106.03 Park/Open 217.94 23.38 31.93 151.12 5.00 71.41 Space School/Church 35.16 2.15 5.70 61.32 - Other Public 15.99 71.82 i Source : BRW, Inc., December, 1989. - 89