04-27-2021
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, April 27, 2021 – Page 1
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
April 27, 2021
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission was held on April 27, 2021, at
6:30 p.m. by video conference call through Zoom in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
Present were Commission Members Gerard Balan, Sam Stiele, Nathan White, Douglas Dyrland,
Maggie Sedoff, and Emily Fiamova. Also present and City Planner Jason Lindahl.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Balan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ADOPT AGENDA
Commissioner Dyrland moved, Commissioner Sedoff seconded, to adopt the agenda. The motion
was approved unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Fiamova moved, Commissioner Dyrland seconded, to approve the minutes of the
March 23, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission regular meeting. The motion was approved
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING –
1. Planning Application 2021-04 Meadowbrook Clubhouse CUP
City Planner Lindahl presented an overview of the item. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation
Board is requesting an amendment to its existing conditional use permit (CUP) for an outdoor
recreational use within a residential area. The proposed CUP amendment would allow construction
of a new permanent golf clubhouse at the Meadowbrook golf course. The City approved previous
CUP amendments in 2017 and 2020 allowing a temporary clubhouse trailer until construction of a
new permanent clubhouse or November 1, 2021, whichever came first.
The applicant hosted a virtual neighborhood meeting that produced 3 email comments and 63
online survey responses; all were generally supportive. The City also received one email from James
Warden, who had concerns about the Minneapolis Park Board owning land outside the limits of
Minneapolis and within Hopkins, and the general tax-exempt status of the property.
After a summary presentation from staff detailing the plans for the permanent clubhouse and
general conditional use permit standards for recreational uses in residential areas, Chairperson Balan
opened the public hearing. Tyler Patterson and Michael Schroeder from the Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board were present during the public hearing to address questions from the
Commission. Responding to comments from Commissioners Sedoff and Fiamova, Mr. Schroeder
described the intended purpose of the clubhouse to be primarily for golf transactions and would not
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, April 27, 2021 – Page 2
be operated during the winter. Other general discussion from the Commission included completion
date, food and beverage options and building materials. With no further comment from the
Commission or the public, Comissioner Fiamova moved and Commissioner White seconded to
close the public hearing. The motion was approved unanimously.
Commissioner Fiamova moved and Commissioner White seconded to adopt Planning & Zoning
Resolution 2021-08 recommending the City Council approve an amendment to the existing
conditional use permit for Meadowbrook Golf Course allowing construction of a new permanent
clubhouse building, subject to conditions. The motion was approved unanimously.
City Planner Lindahl stated that this item will be presented to the City Council at their May 4
meeting with the Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval.
2. Planning Application 2021-05 11524 Excelsior Boulevard Rezoning & Comprehensive Plan
Amendment
City Planner Lindahl presented an overview of the item. The application was initiated by staff as a
“housekeeping” item to assign future land use and zoning classifications to property annexed from
Minnetonka into Hopkins. Minnetonka, Hopkins and the State of Minnesota Office of
Administrative Hearings processed the transaction through an annexation that was approved in June
2020. Staff recommends the property be assigned a future land use designation of Neighborhood
Center and a zoning classification of B-3, General Business.
After a summary presentation from staff, Chairperson Balan opened the public hearing. Staff did not
receive any additional public comment after the meeting materials were distributed. Prior to the
public hearing, the City did receive two comments. These comments came from Lowell Zizloff
(owner of 11525 Excelsior Boulevard, Minnetonka) and Marilyn Johnson (owner of 140 20th Avenue
South, Hopkins). Both had general questions about the application and supported the proposed
changes. With no one else wishing to speak, Commissioner Sedoff moved and Commissioner
Dyrland seconded to close the public hearing. The motion was approved unanimously.
With no additional discussion from the Commission, Commissioner Dyrland moved and
Commissioner White seconded to adopt Planning & Zoning Commission Resolution 2021-09,
recommending the City Council approve a Comprehensive Plan Amendment establishing the land
use designation for the property located at 11524 Excelsior Boulevard as Neighborhood Center. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Commissioner Sedoff moved and Commissioner Fiamova seconded to adopt Planning & Zoning
Commission Resolution 2021-10, recommending the City Council approve an ordinance establishing
the zoning for the properties located at 11524 Excelsior Boulevard as B-3, General Business
District. The motion was approved unanimously.
Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, April 27, 2021 – Page 3
City Planner Lindahl stated that this item will be presented to the City Council at their May 4
meeting with the Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval.
OLD BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS – None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS –
City Planner Lindahl updated the Commission on the following items.
• 425 Madison Avenue subdivision and rezoning was approved by the City Council at the
April 20 meeting.
• Hopkins Apartments development concept plan was presented to the City Council and was
generally supportive of the mixed-use apartment and retail design but expressed some
concern with the proposed height, density and materials. The City Council requested this
item be added to a future work session agenda to further discuss the proposal with staff and
the developer.
ADJOURN
Commissioner White moved, Commissioner Fiamova seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The
motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Courtney Pearsall
Administrative Assistant