IV. 1. Minutes of the June 25, 2019 Planning & Zoning Commission
DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, June 25, 2019 – Page 1
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES
June 25, 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, Gerard Balan, Emily Wallace-Jackson, and Laura Daly. Commissioners
Elizabeth Goeman and Kristin Hanneman were absent. 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 Balan moved, Commissioner Wallace-Jackson seconded, to adopt the agenda. The
motion was approved unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS – Mayor Jason Gadd presented a
Certificate of Appreciation to Chairperson James Warden and Commissioner Emily Wallace-Jackson
and thanked them for their service to the City of Hopkins as members of the Planning & Zoning
Commission.
City Planner Jason Lindahl introduced the new Planning Commissioners Emily Fiamova and
Nathan White. The new Commissioners will begin their duties at the July 23, 2019 meeting.
Mr. Lindahl also commented that Commissioner Goeman has been reappointed for a second term.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Wallace-Jackson moved, Commissioner Balan seconded, to approve the minutes of
the May 28, 2019 regular meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Planning Application 2019-09-VA Ryan Variance
Mr. Lindahl gave a brief overview of this item stating the applicant, Ethan Ryan, requests minimum
lot size, lot width and side yard setback variances for the property located at 501 7th Avenue South.
The applicant wishes to subdivide their existing 146’ wide by 128’ deep 18,827 square foot single-
family lot into three separate parcels. One lot would retain the existing home and the other two
would be open to future single-family development. Staff recommends approval of this request
based on the finding that the applicant has demonstrated a practical difficulty with meeting the City
zoning standards required by the variance review standards.
Mr. Lindahl continued with background of the property and detailed the variance review standards
that find the applicant has demonstrated a practical difficulty.
Chairperson Warden opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m.
DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, June 25, 2019 – Page 2
Coming forward to address the Commission on behalf of the applicant was the applicant’s father,
Perry Ryan. Mr. Ryan thanked staff and the Commission and is in general agreement with the
conditions for the variances, but requested that the Planning Commission approve the application
without staff’s recommended condition that garage, driveway or vehicle access to the two new lots
come only from the rear alley. In support of this request, the applicant provide a map of the
surrounding area showing other lots with vehicle access to the street instead of the alley.
With no one else wanting to speak, Commissioner Balan moved and Commissioner Wallace-Jackson
seconded to close the public hearing. The motion was approved unanimously.
Commissioner Wallace-Jackson asked if there had been any comment from neighbors of the
property. Mr. Lindahl replied that two residents had contacted staff seeking more information on
the applicant’s request but did not provide any additional opinion on the proposal. Commissioner
Wallace-Jackson followed up by asking if staff had any response to the applicant’s request to remove
the condition regarding alley access to the two new lots. Mr. Lindahl stated that in previous
discussions with the applicant they had indicated that they were agreeable with the conditions. Even
with the new information submitted by the applicant, staff stands on their original recommendation
and conditions based on the findings in the staff report.
With no further discussion, Commissioner Wallace-Jackson moved and Commissioner Daly
seconded to adopt Planning & Zoning Commission Resolution 2019-10 recommending approval of
minimum lot size, lot width and side yard setback variances for the property located at 501 7th
Avenue South. The motion was approved unanimously.
Mr. Lindahl stated that the application will be presented to the City Council at their July 16, 2019
meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation for approval.
OLD BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Election of Planning & Zoning Commission Officers for 2019/2020
Mr. Lindahl outlined the process for election of officers. Commissioner Balan nominated himself
for chair. With no other nominations, Commissioner Daly moved to elect Commissioner Balan to
the position of Chairperson by unanimous consent. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Daly nominated Commissioner Stiele for Vice Chair. A motion was made by
Commissioner Balan to elect Commissioner Stiele to the position of Vice Chair by unanimous
consent. Motion carried 5-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
During the announcements, City Planner Jason Lindahl updated the Planning & Zoning
Commission on the following item:
DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, June 25, 2019 – Page 3
1. Previous items before the Planning & Zoning Commission:
• Planning Application 2019-08-AMD Final 2040 Comprehensive Plan – Cultivate
Hopkins was approved by the City Council to be distributed to the Metropolitan
Council. After approval by the Met Council the plan will be presented to the Council for
final approval.
• Zoning Code Update: Staff is in the process of finalizing the Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) seeking consultant help with the update. Staff anticipates having a consultant in
place by September.
• Planning Application 2019-07-AMD Accessory Building Standards Text Amendment
was approved by the City Council with the Planning Commission’s recommendation to
not prohibit accessory structures in the front yards of the R-1-E district.
• Staff is starting to implement the changes made to the auto related uses standards. A
reminder letter was mailed to all auto related businesses that inspections and the code
enforcement process will start on July 15.
• Planning Application 2019-06-TA Wilshire Properties, LLC Zoning Code Text
Amendment – Staff has been informed that the property is now in compliance with six
residents.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Wallace-Jackson moved, Commissioner Balan seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The
motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Courtney Pearsall
Administrative Assistant