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IV. 1. Minutes of the May 28, 2019 Planning & Zoning Commission DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 28, 2019 – Page 1 PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES May 28, 2019 A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission was held on May 28, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room at Hopkins Fire Station. Present were Commission Members James Warden, Samuel Stiele, Elizabeth Goeman, Gerard Balan, Emily Wallace-Jackson, Kristin Hanneman and Laura Daly. Also present was City Planner Jason Lindahl. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Warden called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ADOPT AGENDA Commissioner Goeman moved, Commissioner Hanneman seconded, to adopt the agenda. The motion was approved unanimously. OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS – None. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Wallace-Jackson moved, Commissioner Hanneman seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2019 regular meeting. The motion was approved unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Planning Application 2019-07-AMD Accessory Building Standards Text Amendment Mr. Lindahl gave an overview of this item stating that the applicant, Robb Stephens, is requesting a zoning code text amendment related to accessory building standards. The applicant requests increases to the number and size of accessory buildings in the R-1-E zoning district, which would allow him to construct an additional, detached accessory building (garage) on his property located at 3321 Hopkins Crossroad. Next, the applicant shared with the Commission his reason for applying for the text amendment. The applicant thanked the City for considering his request but also stated his opposition to staff’s recommendation prohibiting accessory buildings in front of the house. He explained that he would like to use the accessory building as a screen from the traffic along Hopkins Crossroad. General discussion by the Commission included next steps should the City approve the application, additional information on accessory building standards, the placement of the applicant’s proposed accessory building, staff’s recommendation prohibiting accessory buildings in front of the house and how the front yard setback of homes in the Bellgrove neighborhood compares to the rest of the city. Chairperson Warden opened the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Coming forward to address the Commission was Margarete Mursch, resident at 3313 Hopkins Crossroad and neighbor north of the applicant. Ms. Mursch asked how close the garage could DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 28, 2019 – Page 2 possibly be built to her house. Mr. Lindahl replied that the current standards require an accessory building be no closer than three feet from the side or rear property line and would not change with the proposed amendment. Charles Lick, 6 Fletcher Place, supports the proposed amendment to allow three accessory buildings but not necessarily in front of the principal building as it applies citywide. Mr. Lick questioned if a variance for the applicant’s request would be better suited. Cynthia Chapman, 1 Saint Albans Road West, is in support of the text amendment. Ms. Chapman lives along Minnetonka Boulevard and would like to build a garage in the front of her house in the future, as her lot would not accommodate an accessory structure to the side or rear of the property. Ms. Chapman inquired about design standards for accessory buildings in relation to the principal building. Mr. Lindahl listed some of the general design standards for accessory buildings. Ms. Chapman asked specifically about her house, which is mostly brick. Mr. Lindahl replied that having a majority brick house would not require the accessory structure also be a majority brick structure. The applicant addressed the Commission again stating that he does not wish to upset any neighbors with the desired accessory building, and will support the proposal with staff’s recommendations but would prefer the standard prohibiting accessory buildings located in front of the principal structure be removed. With no one else coming forward to speak, Commissioner Goeman moved and Commissioner Balan seconded to close the public hearing. The motion was approved unanimously. General discussion from the Commission included support for the applicant’s proposal and staff’s recommendations except for the standard prohibiting accessory structures located in front of the house in the R-1-E district. Commissioner Daly moved and Commissioner Goeman seconded to approve Resolution 2019-08 recommending the City Council approve a zoning code text amendment related to standards for accessory buildings or structures minus the standard prohibiting accessory buildings in the front yard of properties in the R-1-E district. Mr. Lindahl clarified that this motion only removed the prohibiting accessory buildings in the front yard of properties in the R-1-E district and that this standard will still apply to all other residential district and the Commission agreed. Approved 6-1 with Commissioner Balan abstaining. Mr. Lindahl stated this item will be presented to the City Council at their June 4, 2019 regular meeting with the Planning Commission’s recommendation. 2. Planning Application 2019-08-AMD Final 2040 Comprehensive Plan – Cultivate Hopkins Mr. Lindahl gave an overview of this item stating that the latest version of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan is now available on the City’s website for review. This version reflects edits and revisions made based on feedback received during the required 6-month interjurisdictional review period. DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 28, 2019 – Page 3 Consultant planner Haila Maze with Bolton & Menk continued with a summary presentation on the background and overall goal of the plan. Chairperson Warden opened the public hearing at 8:20 p.m. Eric Anondson, 53 Jackson Avenue South, commented that he did not see any mention of affordable commercial in the plan. When properties are redeveloped, the rent increases make it more difficult for start-ups and other small business to move into these spaces. There is discussion on how to keep housing affordable, but there is concern over also maintaining affordable commercial space. Mr. Anondson also asked about how the city plans to prioritize and measure progress towards its pedestrian and bicycle goals. Mr. Lindahl pointed to the Economic Competitiveness section of the Economic Environment (page 96) that covers affordability of commercial spaces. Pedestrian and bicycle items are covered in the Transportation section of the Built Environment. Both are tied to strategies in the Implementation Section. With no one else wanting to speak, Commissioner Balan moved and Commissioner Goeman seconded to the close the public hearing. The motion was approved unanimously. Following the public hearing, Chairperson Warden asked staff why the strategy to allow for “gentle density” in single-family neighborhoods was no longer in the comprehensive plan. Mr. Lindahl explained that the strategy had been revised based on feedback from the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and the City Council. The original single strategy was revised into several policies under Goal 4 in the Built Environment. Chairperson Warden expressed his preference for the original strategy and asked it to be noted for the record. The Commission followed with a general discussion on affordable housing in Hopkins. With no further discussion from the Commission, Commissioner Balan moved and Commissioner Wallace-Jackson seconded to approve Planning Resolution 2019-09 recommending the City Council direct the City Planner to distribute the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update – Cultivate Hopkins to the Metropolitan Council pursuant to Minnesota Statues Section 473.864. The motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Lindahl stated this item will be presented to the City Council at their June 18, 2019 regular meeting with the Planning Commission’s recommendation. OLD BUSINESS – None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Election of Planning & Zoning Commission Officers for 2019/2020 Motion to move election of officers to the June 25, 2019 Planning & Zoning meeting by Commissioner Goeman and seconded by Commissioner Balan. The motion was approved unanimously. DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 28, 2019 – Page 4 ANNOUNCEMENTS During the announcements, City Planner Jason Lindahl updated the Planning & Zoning Commission on the following item: 1. Previous items before the Planning & Zoning Commission: • Planning Application 2019-06-TA (Wilshire Properties, LLC Zoning Code Text Amendment) was given a recommendation of approval by the Planning Commission but was ultimately denied by the City Council at their May 7, 2019 regular meeting. Staff is continuing to work with the applicant to bring the site into compliance. ADJOURN Commissioner Hanneman moved, Commissioner Goeman seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Pearsall Administrative Assistant