IV.6. Second Reading: Ordinance 2019-1142 Amending the City Code Related to Standards for Accessory Buildings or Structures and Authorizing Publication; LindahlMEMO
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Jason Lindahl, City Planner
Date: June 18, 2019
Subject: Second reading of Ordinance 2019-1142 approving a zoning code text
amendment related to accessory buildings and structures and authorizing
its publication
Proposed Action
Move to adopt Resolution 2019-048 approving the second reading of Ordinance 2019-1142
amending the City Code related to accessory buildings and structures and authorizing its publication.
Overview
The applicant, Robb Stephens, requests a zoning code text amendment related to standards for
accessory buildings or structures. While the zoning code text amendment would apply throughout
the City, the applicant’s request includes specific changes for the R-1-E district that would allow him
to construct an additional detached accessory building (garage) on his property located at 3321
Hopkins Crossroad.
The City Council adopted a motion to approve the first reading of this item on June 4, 2019. Prior
to that action by the City Council, the Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing and
recommended the City Council approve of this item on May 28, 2019. Should the City Council
approve the second reading of this ordinance, it will make the following changes and take effect
upon publication scheduled for June 27, 2019.
• Allow properties in the R-1-E district to have up to 3 accessory buildings totaling no more than
1,400 square feet, provided no individual building is larger than 1,000 square feet.
• Prohibit accessory buildings or structures in front of the principal building or structure (house)
in all residential zoning districts, except the R-1-E district where they shall continue to have a
minimum front yard setback of 35 feet.
• Require all accessory buildings or structures greater than 200 square feet in size to be
substantially compatible in design and materials with the principal building (house).
• Minor text revisions to clarify and organize the zoning standards.
The version of the ordinance before the City Council for the second reading is essentially the same
as approved during the first reading, except for the design and materials standard. It now includes
the term “substantially compatible” and applies to buildings greater than 200 square feet in size.
Attachments
• Resolution 2019-048 • Ordinance 2019-114
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION 2019-048
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2019-1142
AMENDING SECTIONS 520.07 OF THE CITY CODE RELATED TO ACCESSORY
BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES AND AUTHORIZING ITS PUBLICATION
WHEREAS, Robb Stephens initiated an application to amend the Zoning Ordinance related to
standards for accessory buildings or structures; and
WHEREAS, the procedural history of the application is as follows:
1. That an application to amend the Zoning Ordinance related to accessory buildings or
structures was initiated by Robb Stephens on April 26, 2019; and
2. That the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission, pursuant to published notice, held a
public hearing to review such application on May 28, 2019 and all persons present were
given an opportunity to be heard; and
3. That written comments and analysis of City staff were considered; and
4. That the Hopkins City Council reviewed this item during their June 4, 2019 meeting and
adopted a motion approving the first reading of this ordinance.
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.191, Subd. 4, allows publication by title and
summary in the case of lengthy ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the following summary would clearly inform the public
of the intent and effect of the Ordinances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
hereby approves Resolution 2019-048 approving the second reading of Ordinance 2019-1142 amending
Sections 520.07 of the City Code related to Accessory Buildings or Structures based on the findings
detailed in City Council Report 2019-062.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall cause the following
summary of Ordinance 2019-1142 to be published in the official newspaper in lieu of the entire
ordinance:
Public Notice
In summary, Ordinance 2019-1142 amends Section 520.07 of the City Code related to accessory
buildings or structures as follows:
• Allows properties in the R-1-E district to have up to 3 accessory buildings totaling no more than
1,400 square feet, provided no individual building is larger than 1,000 square feet.
• Prohibits accessory buildings or structures in front of the principal building or structure (house) in all
residential zoning districts, except the R-1-E district where they shall continue to have a minimum
front yard setback of 35 feet.
• Requires all accessory buildings or structures greater than 200 square feet in size to be substantially
compatible in design and materials with the principal building (house).
• Includes minor text revisions to clarify and organize the zoning standards.
Adopted this 18th day of June 2019.
_______________________
Jason Gadd, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
1
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE NO. 2019-1142
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 520.07 OF THE CITY
CODE RELATED TO ACCESSORY BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 520.07, Accessory Buildings or Structures, is hereby amended as follows:
Subdivision 1. Prior construction. No accessory building or structure other than a fence,
temporary construction office or garage for residential use shall be constructed on a lot in a R
district prior to the construction of the principal building. The residential garage may only be used
for storage and or service when directly related and prior to the construction of the principal
building to be located on said lot.
Subd. 2. Height. An accessory building to a residential structure may not exceed 15 feet in height.
Accessory buildings in business, and industrial, or institutional districts may not exceed the height
standard of the for principal buildings in the applicable zoning district. (Amended Ord. No. 87-601
& Ord. 99-823)
Subd. 3. Area Size and Number. Accessory buildings to a residential structure may not exceed an
aggregate area of 528 sq. ft. per dwelling unit in the R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, and the R-6 districts. The
following percentage of lot area is used for accessory districts. The following percentage of lot area
is used for accessory buildings in the R-1 districts designated provided the area does not exceed
1000 sq. ft. R-1A - 12%; R-1B - 10%; R-1C - 8%; R-1D - 6%; R-1-E - 6%. (Amended Ord. No. 87-
601) The total number of accessory buildings allowed to a residential structure is two. (Added Ord.
2002-873)
The size and number of accessory buildings or structures shall conform to the standards detailed
below.
A) In the R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C or R-1-D zoning districts. Up to two (2) accessory buildings or
structures not exceeding a total aggregate area of 1,000 square feet.
B) In the R-1-E zoning district. Up to three (3) accessory buildings or structures not exceeding a
total aggregate area of 1,400 square feet, provided no individual building exceeds 1,000 square
feet.
2
C) R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, and the R-6 districts. Accessory buildings or structures not exceeding a total
aggregate area of 528 square feet per dwelling unit.
Subd. 4. Side Location. Except as otherwise provided in this code, no detached accessory building
in any district shall be located closer than three (3) feet from any side or rear lot line, except that the
vehicle entrance side to such building shall be not less than 20 feet from any such yard line. A
detached accessory building in any district which abuts any lot in an R district shall provide yard
requirement as required in the R district unless said accessory building is over 24 feet in length, in
which case the required side or rear yard shall be increased 12 inches for each ten feet of length
beyond 24 feet to a maximum yard of ten feet. (Amended Ord. No. 87-601)
The location of accessory buildings or structures shall conform to the standards for the specific
zoning districts as detailed below.
A) Residential Front Yard Setback.
a. In the R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C or R-1-D zoning districts. The minimum front setback for an
accessory building shall be the same as that required for a principal building in the zoning
district in which it is located or the font line of an existing principal building, whichever is
greater. In no case shall an accessory building or structure be located closer to the front
property line than the front line of the principal building.
b. In the R-1-E zoning district. The minimum front setback for an accessory building shall be
the same as that required for a principal building.
B) Residential Side or Rear Yard Setback. In any residential zoning district the side or rear yard
setback shall be a minimum of three (3) feet except that any side of such building with a vehicle
entrance shall have a minimum twenty (20) foot setback.
C) Non-Residential District Setbacks. In all non-residential zoning districts accessory buildings or
structures shall comply with the setback requirements for principal buildings in the applicable
zoning district.
Subd. 5. Wall on lot line. Detached accessory buildings in the B or I district may with written
consent of the owner of the abutting side lot in the B or I district, have a masonry wall located on
the lot line provided a 12 foot wide open space remains as the side yard along the other side lot line
to provide access from a public right-of-way (alley or street).
Subd. 6. Conformance Design. Detached accessory buildings when located 60 feet or less from
the front lot line must conform to the yard requirements of the principal building. Accessory
buildings or structures greater than 200 square feet in size shall be substantially compatible in design
and materials to the principal building.
3
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force upon its publication, in accordance
with Section 3.07 of the City Charter.
First Reading: June 4, 2019
Second Reading: June 18, 2019
Date of Publication: June 27, 2019
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: June 27, 2019
______________________
Jason Gadd, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk