05-31-2016 HOPKINS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
AGENDA
�' Tuesday, May 31, 2016
6:30 m
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE START OF
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ADOPT AGENDA
III. OPEN AGENDA— PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of the April 26, 2016, Planning & Zoning Commission
V. PUBLIC HEARING
VI. OLD BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Bylaws Update (PR 16-12-TA)
2. Shady Oak Station Area Zoning (PR 16-11-TA)
3. Election of 2016-2017 Planning Commission Officers
"'`'1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Planning & Zoning Commission Members Update
2. Japs Olson Plat
3. Moline Groundbreaking
4. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update
IX. ADJOURN
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May 31, 2016 Planning Report 16-12-TA
Review and Update of Regulations Governing the Planning& Zoning Commission
Pro�osed Action: Staff requests that the Coininission review Chapter 8 of the City Charter
(City Planning), Section 325 of the City Code (Zoning&Planning Con�unission) and the
Planning& Zoning Cotnmission Bylaws and provide direction to staff.
Overview
This application was uutiated by staff to update the regularions and Bylaws governing the
Planning& Zoning Commission. The Planning& Zoning Commission is regulated by The City
Charter, Section 325, of the City Code and the Bylaws. The relevant sections of the Charter and
City Code are attached for your reference. The Bylaws were distributed to the Coinmission at
the April meeting. During the May meeting, staff will lead a review of these documents and
offer suggestions for updates and revisions.
Primary Issues to Consider
• Legal Authority
• Chapter 8 of the Hopkins Ciry Charter–City Planning
• City Code Section 325 –Planning& Zoning Coinuiission
�' • Planning& Zoning Commission Bylaws
Su�porting Documents
• Chapter 8 of the Hopkins Cit�� Charter–City Planning
• City Code Secrion 325 –Planning& Zoning Cominission
Jason Lindahl,AICP
Ciry Planner
Financial Impact: $ N/A Budgeted: Y/N Source:
— Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
Planning Report 16-12-TA
Page 2
Legal Authority. The formation,powers and duties of a planning cominission are established
in state law, the City Charter and City Code. Generally, the establishment and organization of a
planning co�nmission is left to the local government,while the powers and duries are detailed in
state statute. Staff and the City Attorney aYe reviewing applicable sections of the City Charter,
City Code and Planning& Zoning Coininission Bylaws to ensure their compliance with state
law.
Primary Issues to Consider
Chapter 8 of the Hopkins City Charter is attached for your reference. It provides that City
Council shall,with the assistance of the City ManageY and,if desired, an advisory City
Planning Coinnzission, prepare and adopt a complete plan for the future physical
development and growth of the City and such surrounding areas as the state law may permit.
This is the Charter's only reference to the Planning Coinmission.
City Code Section 325 —Planning & Zoning Commission. Section 325 of the City Code
was last updated in 2003, and is attached for your reference. It refeYs to the Bylaws and
summarizes many of its provisions. Staff recommends this section of the Code be revised and
updated consistent with any changes to the Bylaws.
Planning & Zoning Commission Bylaws. The current Planning& Zoning Cominission
Bylaws were adopted on January 26, 1988. The Bylaws include the sections listed below.
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Arricle 1 —Identity
Article 2—Origin and Powers
Article 3 —Duties and Objecrives
Article 4—Membership
Article 5 —Officers and Duties
Article 6—Election of Officers
Article 7—Meetings
Article 8—Pre-meeting Procedures
Article 9 —Meeting Procedure
Article 10—Public Hearing Procedure
Axticle 11 —Specialist
Article 12—Policy
Article 13 —Amendment of Bylaws
There have been sevexal updates to applicable state law and City policies and procedures since
adoption of the Bylaws in 1988, and staff recommends reviewing and updating both Section 325
and the Bylaws. Section 325 of the City Code may be amended afteY a public heaYing before the
Planning Commission and approval by the City Council. The Bylaws may be amended by a two-
thirds vote of the Cominission at any regular meeting. Staff suggestions for updates to specific
sections of the Bylaws are detailed below.
Article 1.1 Identity establishes the tide of this board as the "City Planning and Zoning
� Coininission." This tide is often transposed as "Zoning and Planning Coinmission." Most
othex ciries and statutes commonly refer to this type of board as the Planning Commission.
Planning Report 16-12-TA
Page 3
'� Article 2.1 Origins and Powers states the Coininission is advisory to the City Council except that
it has the power to approve plats. This is inconsistent with the subdivision regulations which
state the Planning& Zoning Commission reviews and holds a public hearing but the City
Council approves plat application.
Article 4.1 Members states the Coinmission shall consist of seven members who have been
residents of the City for at least one year, the Planning and Economic Development Director,
and a Ciry Council member as an ex-officio member.
r,rricle 4.2 Terms states citizen members shall serve no more than two consecutive terms of
office.
Article 4.3 Removal states members may be subject to removal by the Mayor, for cause, but only
after Council approval, after notice and opportunity for a hearing before the Council. Section
325 outlines a similar procedure for removuig a member.
Article 4.4 Absenteeism states if any member fails to attend four regular meetings of the
Commission per yeaY, notice of such failuYe may be cause for removal and forwarded by the
Chair to the Mayor and Council with the request for removal of such member from the
Cominission.
Article 6 Election of Officers details the procedure for election of officers and differs from past
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practice.
7.1 Annual Meeting states an annual organizational meeting shall be held at the regular meeting
in July of each year. Election of officers shall be conducted and proposed amendments to the
Bylaws may be acted upon. These standards are inconsistent with current pracrice,which is to
hold the election of officers during the May meeting.
Arricle 8 Pre-Meeting Procedures details standards for the agenda, deadlines and application
withdrawal that are inconsistent with the City's zoning regulation and state statute and should be
updated.
Alternatives
1. Direct staff to prepare amendments to Section 325 of the Ciry Code and the Planning &
Zoning Coininission Bylaws and bring these amendments back to the Commission for
further review and action.
2. Continue for further informarion. If the Planning Coinmission indicates that further
information is needed, the item should be continued.
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'� City of Ho�kins Charter
CITY PLANNING Section 8.01. THE CITY PLAN. The City Council shall with the
assistance of the Ciry Manager, and if desired, of an advisory City Planning Commission,
prepare and adopt a complete plan for the future physical development and growth of the City
and such surrounding areas as the State law may permit. Such plan may be altered from time to
time. It may include provisions for zoning, for the platting and development of new areas,
for the planning and location of public buildings, parks, playgrounds, bridges, transportation
lines and other public places, as well as for other matters which may seem essential to such a plan.
Section 8.02. ENFORCEMENT OF CITI' PLAN. The Council shall have all the
necessary power to enforce complete adherence by all persons to the plan adopted as the City Plan.
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Hopkins City Code (Amended Ju12003)325
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Section 325 -Zoning and Planning Commission
325.01. Subdivision 1. Zoning and planning commission established. The zoning and planning commission is
created and continued. The commission shall consist of seven persons of which no less than six shall have
been a resident of the city for one year or more on the date of appointment; one member may be a business
owner or employee of a business that is located within the corporate city limits of the City of Hopkins,one
staff liaison to be appointed by the City Manager. Each member except the staff liaison shall have the right to
vote on all matters before the commission. Citizen member terms of office shall be for two years. Three
citizen members of the commission shall be appointed on July lst of each odd numbered year and four shall be
appointed on July 1 st of each even numbered year. Citizen members appointed to complete a current term of
office shall be considered to have served a term of office if the appointment is to an office which is less than
half completed. If the appointment is to an office which is more than half completed the appointment the
appointment will not be considered a term of office. Citizen members shall serve no more than two
consecutive terms of office(Amended Ord.No. 87-581, Sec. 1)(Amended Ord. 2003-899) (Amended Ord
2003-905)
The commission shall serve without compensation other than such compensation as its members may receive
for other services performed for the city. The appointments shall be made by the Mayor with the approval of
the Council and any member of the Commission may be removed by a majority vote of the Council for
misconduct or neglect of duties. The secretary of the Community Development Department shall act as
secretary of the Commission and the City Attorney shall act as legal counsel for the Commission. (Amended
Ord.No. 87-577)
Subd. 2. Officers: bv-laws. The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its
�'' members and such other officers as its by-laws may provide. The chairperson shall not be the business-owner
or employee unless that member is also a resident of Hopkins. The commission shall adopt by laws governing
its procedures. (Amended Ord 2003-905)
Subd. 3. Other duties. The commission is the Board of Adjustment and Appeals as provided in
the zoning code(Appendix I to this code)and has the powers and duties assigned to it by the zoning code and
by law.
Subd.4. Advisorv. The commission is advisory to the city council.
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Section 325 Page 1
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May 31, 2016 Planning r�pplication 16-11-TA
Shady Oak Station Area Development Strategy and Zoning Regulations Process
Proposed Action: Staff requests the Coinmission review the Shady Oak Station Area
Development Strategy draft zoning and provide direction.
Overview
This application was initiated by staff to unplement the Shady Oak Starion Area Development
Strategy goal to create a zoning district and development regularions for the area surrounding
the Shady Oak Southwest LRT Station. The City Council formall�� accepted the Development
Strategy last April and directed staff to prepare the related zoning district and development
regulations. During the meeting, staff will review the Shady Oak Station Area Development
Strategy vision and draft development regulations and receive feedback from the Commission.
Staff will use this feedback to work with the City of Minnetonka to prepare a draft ordinance for
further review by both communities.
Primary Issues to Consider
• Background Information
^ • Shady Oak Station Area Development Strategy Vision and Draft Development Regulations
Su�porting Documents
• Shady Oak Station Area Development Strategy
Jason Lindahl,AICP
City Planner
^ Financial Impact: $ N/r� Budgeted: Y/N Source:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
Planning Application 16-11-TA
Page 2
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Background
Throughout 2015, Hopkins and Minnetonka held a series of joint meetings to review the Shady
Oak Starion r�xea Development Strategy. The planning consultant that dxafted the
Development Strateg��, Crandall Arambula, shared their initial recommendations at a public open
house on May 6, 2015, and through a one-on-one opportunity for Cit�� Council and Planning
Commission members. Municipal consent meetings on the Southwest LRT project were held in
Minnetonka on September 14 and,in Hopkins, on September 15, 2015. Crandall Arambula staff
then held a second joint meeting with both communities on September 21, 2015, to present the
fmal draft of the document and its vision and zoning recommendations. Finally, a second public
open house on the final draft document was held on October 7, 2015.
Development Strategy Vision and Draft Development Regulations
The Shady Oak Station r�rea De�-elopment Strategy builds upon previous planning efforts to
formulate a vision and draft development regularions and an implementation strategy that can be
approved by both cities. The development strategy includes a master plan for the station area
and review of both Hopkins' and Minnetonka's existing zoning and entidement processes with a
goal of removing barriers to the redevelopment process. The main objective of the work was to
develop a master plan and zoning district that is buildable, station-specific, shared by the two
communities, transit-oriented and supportive of sustainable development. Part of the
development strategy work also studied remnant parcels remaining after the light rail project
construction and provides recommendations for how to best take advantage of these
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opportunities.
The Development Strategy's vision is based on four major themes, each of which is summarized
below.
1. Mobility-Oriented District. Building upon existing and planned assets such as the
Minnesota River Bluffs Trail, a network of active transportation pedestrian and bicycle
routes to the starion will significandy increase transit ridership and reduce auto
dependency, traffic congesrion, and the need for parking. By linking the starion to the
surrounding e�sting residenrial neighborhoods with pedestrian friendly sidewalks and
protected bike lanes, people will be able to access new transit supportive employment,
commercial, and retail uses.
2. Trailhead. r�t the confluence of two communiues and at the crossroads of multiple
transportation modes, the Shady Oak station provides an opportunity to emphasize both
destination and departure functions. The plaza at the intersection of 17th and the park-
and-ride entrance will serve as the focus of starion area activiries and a threshold
between surrounding development and the station platform.
3. Innovation Distriet. Fstablishment of unique and complementary Innovation District
land uses will differenuate this starion from other employment starions in Hopkins and
Minnetonka or other Southwest Corridor communities.
� The goal of the station area redevelopment will be to create a unique market niche that is
based on emerging national trends for station area and urban development that positions
the Shady Oak area to maximize benefits of its regional location and future transit
access. The district will not be a corporate campus;instead it will give new start-ups,
Planning Application 16-11-TA
Page 3
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business incubators, and traditional employment enterprises the opportunity to build or
lease corporate, clirucal, and other space in proxi.tnit�� to the wealth of intellectual capital
and institutional knowledge of major employers such as Cargill or United Health Care
that are already present along the SW LRT Corridor.
4. Authentic Character. Unlike the adjacent campus-like development character of
stations to the south, redevelopment of the Shady Oak Station is envisioned to embrace
the station area's e�sting raw industrial character and build upon this asset as a distinct,
authentic development theme.
Based on this vision, the Development Strategy goes on to detail draft development regulations
in five areas: Purpose, General Requirements, Zoning Districts, Use Regulations, and
Development Standards. The Purpose secrion will focus on the four vision themes and
connecting them with the use regulations and development standards. The General Regulations
section suggests a structure for the joint planning board and an amendments process. The
Zoning District secrion defines the two sub-areas within the district. The Transit Supportive
Employment District (TSE) provides for office employment uses, a limited amount of retail and
service development, and high densit��residenual,while permitting e�sring industrial,
warehousing and manufacturing functions. The Urban Industrial Employment District (LJIE)
maintains e�sting industrial uses while permitting redevelopment over time of transit
supportive, high density residential, office, and a limited amount of retail and service uses. The
Use Regulations section provides a detailed list of suggested permitted and conditional uses and
'� maps areas where specific uses must be located. Finally, the Development Standards section
provides specific requirements for the physical orientauon, uses and arrangement of buildings;
the management of parking; and access to development parcels.
Alternatives
1. DiYect staff to prepare draft zoning regulations for the Shady Oak Station Area and conduct
a joint meeting with the City of Minnetonka Planning Coinmission to review these draft
regulations.
2. Continue for further information. If the Planning Coinmission indicates that further
information is needed, the item should be continued.
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UNOFFICIAL
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
Apri126, 2016
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning& Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday, April
26, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Commission Members Scott Kerssen, Brian Hunke, Gary Newhouse, Emily
Wallace-Jackson and James Warden. Absent were Commissioners Matt McNeil and Mike Tait.
Also present was City Planner Jason Lindahl.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kerssen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ADOPT AGENDA
Commissioner James Warden moved, Commissioner Brian Hunke seconded, to adopt the
agenda. The motion was approved unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
—_ Commissioner Gary Newhouse moved, Commissioner Emily Wallace-Jackson seconded, to
approve the minutes of the March 29, 2016, regular meeting. The motion was approved
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM: Request by Japs Olson Company for Preliminary and Final Plat Approvals
(2016-10-SUBD)
City Planner Jason Lindahl explained that the Japs Olson Company, located at 7630 Excelsior
Boulevard, requested subdivision approval to combine and plat their existing properties into one
parcel. While the subject property is located in St. Louis Park, part of this process will dedicate
a portion of the abutting Powell Road to the City of Hopkins. As a result, the City of Hopkins
must approve the plats. Should the City of Hopkins approve the subdivision request, the abutting
portion of Powell Road will be dedicated to Hopkins. Staff finds the proposed preliminary and
final plats in conformance with the City's subdivision standards and recommends the City
approve this request.
Commissioner Warden asked about how future street maintenance and assessments would work
with this property. Mr. Lindahl stated that the City Engineer had reviewed and approved the
plats and recommends accepting dedication of Powell Road, but did not specifically comment
about the questions of future maintenance or assessments. Staff will obtain this information
from the City Engineer and advise the Commission.
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Chairperson Kerssen opened the public hearing on this item at 6:38 p.m. No one came forward
to comment Commissioner Emily Wallace-Jackson moved, Commissioner Newhouse seconded,
to close the public hearing. The hearing was closed at 6:39 p.m.
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Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, Apri126, 2016—Page 2 UNOFFICIAL
Commissioner Newhouse moved, Commissioner Hunke seconded, to adopt Resolution 2016-10,
recommending the City Council approve the preliminary and final plats of Japs Olson Addition
and accept dedication by easement of the abutting portion of Powell Road. The motion was
approved unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
During the announcements, City Planner Lindahl updated the Planning and Zoning Commission
on the following items.
1. Planning& Zoning Commission By-Laws Update. The City will consider updates to this
document prior to the July Planning& Zoning Commission meeting.
2. 2016 Hopkins Farmers Market. The City Council recently approved this contract and is
working with the applicant to add a second Farmers Market along the Blake Road
corridor.
3. Administrative Subdivision Ordinance Amendment. The City Council approved this
item at the April 5 meeting.
4. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. Staff continues to work on the public engagement
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plan for the Comprehensive Plan and should have a short survey to send out to the public
in the summer.
5. Shady Oak Station Area Development Strategy. Last month the City Council accepted
this document and directed staff to begin work on drafting the zoning regulations with the
City of Minnetonka. The Planning Commission will work on this over the summer.
6. Election of Officers. Staff advised the Commission that they would need to elect a Chair
and Vice Chair during the May meeting.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Newhouse moved, Commissioner Hunke seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The
motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
MEMBERS
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ATTEST:
Scott Kerssen, Chair
- � MEMO
To: Planning Commission Chair and Members
From: Jason Lindahl, AICP
Date: May 31, 2016
Subject: Election of Planning & Zoning Commission Officers for 2016/2017
Proposed Action - Conduct nominations and election of officers for 2016/2017.
Overview
According to its Bylaws, the Planning & Zoning Commission must elect a new Chairperson and
Vice-Chairperson annually. The process for nomination and election of officers is outlined below.
The newly elected officers will take their posirions at the July 26, 2016, Planning & Zoning
Commission meeting.
Process to elect officers
^ • The current Chairperson will begin by asking the Cominission for nominations for
the position of Chairperson.
• Nominations do not require a "second."
• After nominations are made, there should be a motion made to close the
nominations.
• A second is necessary to close the nominations.
• The Coinmission needs to vote to close the nominations. Ayes/Nays are needed.
If only one nomination is made, the following motion could be used:
"Move to elect by unanimous consent to the position of Chairperson."
• A second to the morion is necessary.
• Ayes/Nays are needed.
If more than one nominauon is made:
• The current Chairperson will request a show of hands for each nominee and record
the votes.
• Based upon the show of hands, a motion should be made by the Chairperson:
"Move that is elected to the position of Chairperson.
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• A second to the motion is necessary.
• Ayes/Nays are needed.
This process should be repeated for Vice-Chairperson.