IV. 1. Minutes of the May 25, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission
DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 25, 2021 – Page 1
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 25, 2021
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission was held on May 25, 2021, at
6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1st Street South and 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 and Maggie Sedoff. Commissioner Emily
Fiamova was absent. Also present was City Planner Jason Lindahl.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Balan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ADOPT AGENDA
Commissioner White moved, Commissioner Dyrland seconded, to adopt the agenda.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
City Planner Jason Lindahl stated that Election of Officers for 2021/2022 had been added to the
agenda under New Business. Commissioner Dyrland moved and Commissioner White seconded to
adopt the agenda with the addition of the Election of Officers item.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
OPEN AGENDA – PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner White moved, Commissioner Stiele seconded, to approve the minutes of the April
27, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission regular meeting.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING –
1. Planning Application 2021-08 Massage Therapy Text Amendment
This item was initiated by a request from the City Council to amend the City Code related to
Massage Therapy uses. City Planner Lindahl presented background on the item and summarized the
proposed changes in the draft ordinance, which include changes to both the zoning and licensing
DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 25, 2021 – Page 2
regulations. The City Council has sole authority over the licensing regulations. The Planning &
Zoning Commission’s responsibility is to make a recommendation to the City Council on the zoning
standards.
Prior to the meeting, the City received three written comments from Keri Fullerton, Susan Fullerton
and Erin Fullerton Kelly. All three comments expressed general support for the changes to the
ordinance. Discussion from the Commission prior to the public hearing included the hours of
operation, inspections and licensing requirements, the maximum number of licenses allowed,
signage, and compatibility with the 2040 comprehensive plan.
Chairperson Balan opened the public hearing. Coming forward to address the Commission was
Susan Fullerton (306 13th Avenue North). Ms. Fullerton, representing Keri Fullerton, owner of
Thrive Therapeutic Massage, read a prepared statement in support of the proposed ordinance
changes. Ms. Fullerton suggested the hours of operation be extended to allow for two mornings a
week to open at 7:00 a.m., which would provide clients the opportunity to schedule an appointment
prior to their workday. Ms. Fullerton responded to questions from the Commission concerning the
types of massage that would be offered at Thrive and the current licensing and certification process.
Mr. Lindahl questioned Ms. Fullerton on the request for extended morning hours and which days of
the week it would be more appropriate to open early. Mr. Lindahl suggested Ms. Fullerton provide
staff additional written comment ahead of the City Council meeting with more detail.
With no additional comments from the public, Commissioner Sedoff moved and Commissioner
Dyrland seconded to close the public hearing.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Additional discussion by the Commission was generally supportive of the proposed changes and
focused on the hours of operation and the limit of four massage therapy business licenses that
would be allowed in the City. Chairperson Balan spoke in favor of increasing that number to allow
four more massage related businesses and extending the hours of operation.
With no further discussion, Commissioner White moved and Commissioner Stiele seconded to
adopt Resolution 2021-10, recommending the City Council approve Ordinance 2021-1170
Amending Chapters 10 and 102 and Appendix A of the Hopkins City Code regarding Massage
Therapy.
Ayes: White, Dyrland, Sedoff, Stiele, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 25, 2021 – Page 3
Mr. Lindahl stated this item will be presented to the City Council for the first of two readings at the
June 1, 2021 meeting with the Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval and comments
on the number of businesses and hours of operation.
OLD BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Election of Planning & Zoning Commission Officers for 2021/2022
According to its Bylaws, the Planning & Zoning Commission must elect a new Chairperson and
Vice-Chairperson annually. The term of office for both Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson is one
year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. The newly elected officers will take their positions at the
July 27, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. No member can serve as Chairperson or
Vice-Chairperson for more than two consecutive years, therefore Chairperson Balan and Vice-
Chairperson Stiele are not eligible to serve in their same positions for 2021/2022.
Chairperson Balan asked for nominations for the position of Chairperson. Commissioner Dyrland
nominated Commissioner Stiele. With no additional nominations for Chairperson, Commissioner
Dyrland moved and Commissioner Sedoff seconded to close the nominations.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Dyrland moved and Commissioner White seconded to elect Sam Stiele by
unanimous consent to the position of Chairperson.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Chairperson Balan asked for nominations for the position of Vice-Chairperson. Commissioner
Dyrland nominated Nathan White. With no additional nominations for Vice-Chairperson,
Chairperson Balan conducted a roll call vote to close the nominations.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Stiele moved and Commissioner Dyrland seconded to elect Nathan White by
unanimous consent to the position of Vice-Chairperson.
Ayes: Stiele, White, Dyrland, Sedoff, Balan
DRAFT Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission, May 25, 2021 – Page 4
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS –
City Planner Lindahl updated the Commission on the following items.
• The City did not receive any applications for the June Planning & Zoning Commission
meeting agenda so staff has decided to cancel the meeting. As a replacement, staff is
anticipating scheduling the second meeting of the Zoning Regulations Update Committee to
review the first draft of the zoning update on June 22. More information will follow.
• Planning & Zoning Commission Vacancy Update: The City Council is in the process of
interviewing candidates for Planning & Zoning, Park Board and Charter Commissions. The
Council has stated that they would like to add two new youth members to both the Planning
& Zoning Commission and Park Board. The appointed youth members begin at the July
meeting and will be non-voting members, but will participate in discussions.
• The Blake Road Station development project was originally scheduled to be on the May
Planning & Zoning Commission agenda; however, the applicant stated that they wished to
pause the application process again while they consider further revisions and the financial
viability of their proposal.
• Vista 44 Update: Beacon continues to work on finalizing their financing for the project.
Beacon has been in contact with staff and are working towards securing all necessary
building permits by spring 2022.
ADJOURN
Commissioner White moved, Commissioner Sedoff seconded, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Sedoff, Stiele, White, Dyrland, Balan
Absent: Fiamova
Nays: None. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Courtney Pearsall
Administrative Assistant