IV. 1. Minutes of the March 26, 2019 Planning & Zoning Commission
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, March 26, 2019 – Page 1
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
March 26, 2019
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission was held on March 26, 2019, at
6:30 p.m. in the Training Room at Hopkins Fire Station. Present were Commission Members James
Warden, Samuel Stiele, Elizabeth Goeman, and Gerard Balan. Commissioners Emily Wallace-
Jackson, Kristin Hanneman and Laura Daly were absent. Also present was City Planner Jason
Lindahl.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Warden called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
ADOPT AGENDA
Commissioner Goeman moved, Commissioner Stiele seconded, to adopt the agenda. The motion
was approved unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS – None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Balan moved, Commissioner Stiele seconded, to approve the minutes of the
February 26, 2019, regular meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Planning Application 2019-04-VA Harley Hopkins Variance
Mr. Lindahl gave an overview of this item stating that the applicant, Hopkins Public School District
270, requests a four-foot side yard setback variance to allow placement of an accessory building. In
January, the applicant was before the Planning & Zoning Commission with a request to amend their
existing conditional use permit to allow site and building improvements to the Harley Hopkins
Family Resource Center located at 125 Monroe Avenue South. During that review, it was
determined that the proposed location for an accessory building did not meet the 35-foot minimum
side yard setback. Though both the Planning & Zoning Commission and the City Council expressed
general support for a variance to address the issue, the City could not take action on a variance as
part of the original conditional use permit amendment application at that time since it was not
identified early enough in the process to be included in the public notice. The Institutional District
requires 35-foot front, side and rear yard setbacks for both principal and accessory structures. In this
case, the application proposes to locate a 16’ by 20’ shed with only a 31-foot east side yard setback.
Mr. Lindahl continued with additional background on the application stating that the applicant has
demonstrated a practical difficulty with meeting the City zoning standards as required by Minnesota
State Statute 462.357, Subdivision 6 and recommends approval of the request.
Chairperson Warden opened the public hearing at 6:54 p.m. Coming forward to address the
Commission was Eric Anondson of 53 Jackson Avenue South. Mr. Anondson asked how the
proposed project would affect the access to Harley Hopkins Park and stated that he would like there
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, March 26, 2019 – Page 2
to be better access through the fence around the park and for the City to improve the amenities at
the park. Mr. Lindahl responded that the project would have no impact on either access to or
amenities at the park. Mr. Lindahl also stated that he would relay those concerns to Public Works
Director Steve Stadler and the Park Board. With no one else coming forward to speak,
Commissioner Goeman moved and Commissioner Balan seconded to close the public hearing at
7:06 p.m.
After some general discussion, Commissioner Goeman moved and Commissioner Stiele seconded
to adopt Planning & Zoning Resolution 2019-05, recommending the City Council approve a four-
foot side yard setback variance for the Harley Hopkins Family Resource Center located at 125
Monroe Avenue South. The motion was approved unanimously.
2. Planning Application 2018-05-AM RZ & CUP 601 Oakridge Road (Wilshire Properties, LLC
Group Home)
The application was withdrawn by the applicant.
OLD BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS – None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
During the announcements, City Planner Jason Lindahl updated the Planning & Zoning
Commission on the following items:
1. Previous items before the Planning & Zoning Commission:
• Planning Application 2019-02-CUP 1310 Mainstreet (St. Gabriel Church & Chesterton
Academy) was approved by the City Council at their March 5, 2019 meeting.
• Planning Application 2019-03-TA Downtown Overlay District Rezoning was approved by
the City Council at their March 5, 2019 meeting. The ordinance will take effect upon
publication on March 21, 2019.
• Planning Application 2018-03-TA Auto Related Uses Zoning Text Amendment was
approved by the City Council at their March 5, 2019 meeting. The ordinance will take effect
upon publication on March 21, 2019. Staff will soon begin to work with affected properties
on the implementation process for standards of the ordinance such as parking, outdoor
storage and junk vehicles.
2. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update: The public comment period for the plan closed on March 12.
Staff will begin working with the City’s consultant on the plan to compile those comments to
present to the Planning Commission at a meeting in the coming months.
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, March 26, 2019 – Page 3
ADJOURN
Commissioner Goeman moved, Commissioner Stiele seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion
was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Courtney Pearsall
Administrative Assistant