PZ Minutes 05-31-2022HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 31, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a special meeting of the Hopkins Planning &
Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1 st Street South,
Chairperson Stiele called the meeting to order with Commission Members White,
Dyrland, Terrill, Wright and Sedoff attending. Also present was Youth Member Searles,
Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten Elverum and Consultants
from Duncan and Associates and Codametrics.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Sedoff. Second by Wright.
Motion to Adopt the Agenda as presented.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by White. Second by Dyrland.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda
1. Minutes of the March 22, 2022 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 2022-07 Zoning Regulations Update
Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten Elverum presented an
overview history of the zoning regulations update to date and introduced the consultants
for the zoning update, Kirk Bishop of Duncan and Associates and Leslie Oberholtzer of
Codametrics, who provided a comprehensive summary of the final draft code. The
consultants walked through some of the notable changes in the code including future
land use plan, land use classes and the different zones, principal uses, accessory uses
and structures, home occupations, parking and mobility, procedures, and next steps in
the approval process.
Commissioner White commented that the recently acquired parcel located at 11524
Excelsior Blvd which had been part of a land swap with the City of Minnetonka was not
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 31, 2022
added to the new proposed zoning map. The consultants responded that they would
work with staff to include it in the final map.
Commissioner Sedoff commented on the code allowing group living facilities in
neighborhoods instead of by a conditional use permit process. Ms. Elverum responded
that state statute prohibits putting restrictions on those facilities. Ms. Sedoff questioned
the difference between small and large facilities. The consultants responded with small
being six or fewer and large being seven to sixteen. Commissioner Terrill provided
additional information on the licensing process for group living facilities. Director
Elverum followed up on duplexes and asked the consultants to further clarify the
changes made in the new draft code.
Chairperson Stiele opened the public hearing.
Aaron Osowski, resident at 2062 Mainstreet, encouraged the Commission and Council
to look into expanding the zones that allow duplexes and expressed support for
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Luke Slindee, resident at 130 8th Avenue North, supports updating the zoning code
more frequently as the city changes. Mr. Slindee also asked that the area around the
Shady Oak Transit Station be reconsidered to maximize residential and commercial
opportunities, and to consider rezoning the Oak Ridge golf course to a traditional
neighborhood zone to allow for potential future redevelopment and added density.
Josh Montgomery, resident at 202 9th Avenue North, commented on changing the
current 20 foot setback requirement for alley facing garages to 3 feet, further
clarification on what is considered an accessory dwelling unit, and removing deed
restrictions on properties with secondary suites/backyard cottages.
Regarding some of the comments received, Mr. Bishop responded that the garage
setback requirement is driven by the existing 10 foot alley constraint and to
accommodate turning movements of vehicles. There is an opening for discussion on
removing the deed restriction requirement in zones that already allow duplexes or two
principal dwelling units.
Motion by Sedoff. Second by Terill.
Motion to close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 31, 2022
Commissioner Terrill commented on the deed restrictions hindering opportunities for
people to build wealth as property owners. Commissioner White agreed with not
requiring deed restrictions in zones that already allow duplexes or multi -family
dwellings. Commissioner Sedoff questioned if a maintenance facility was still planned
for the Shady Oak Transit Station. Director Elverum responded that currently there is a
rail support facility proposed for the station area which is a smaller building than the
previously proposed maintenance facility. Staff has been working with the project office
on a redesign of the parking area at the station that would reduce the surface parking to
500 stalls which will provide for more development opportunities.
Mr. Slindee questioned what the 500 parking stalls would be serving. Director Elverum
responded that the parking is primarily for commuters. Mr. Slindee asked who would be
paying for the road connections from 17th Avenue. Director Elverum responded that it
was included in the project and is not coming out of city funds. The project intends to
deem a large portion of the area as excess and sell for private development.
Commissioner Sedoff shared additional comments in favor of the previously discussed
changes to the deed restriction requirements, garage setbacks, and increased
notification standards. Commissioner Wright requested duplexes be allowed in the N3 -A
zone and that the new code be used as an opportunity to both preserve the character of
the neighborhoods and increase access and remove barriers to those neighborhoods.
Commissioner White commented against allowing duplexes in all neighborhoods and
requested clarification on the motion to be made.
Commissioner Wright provided additional comments regarding duplexes and types of
housing. Responding to a question from Commissioner Terrill regarding duplexes
decreasing property values, Ms. Oberholtzer stated that design can have an impact on
the character of a neighborhood. The N3 -A zone does not have a maximum width on
houses and if duplexes were expanded into that zone additional requirements would
likely need to be considered. Additional discussion included recommending further
discussion on equity policies not typically included in a zoning code.
Motion by White. Second by Sedoff.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2022-03, recommending the Hopkins City Council
approve an ordinance amending the Planning and Zoning Section of the City
Code by repealing and replacing in its entirety Part III — Land Development,
Chapter 100 — Subdivisions and Chapter 102 — Planning and Zoning, Article 6,
102-620(0) Deed Restrictions to include the language "not applicable to N3 -B,
NX -1, and NX -2 zones".
Ayes: Sedoff, White, Stiele
Nays: Dyrland, Terrill, Wright. Motion failed.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 31, 2022
Motion by Wright. Second by None.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2022-03, recommending the Hopkins City Council
approve an ordinance amending the Planning and Zoning Section of the City
Code by repealing and replacing in its entirety Part III — Land Development,
Chapter 100 — Subdivisions and Chapter 102 — Planning and Zoning, including
language adopting two unit homes in the N3 -A zone.
After further discussion between the Commissioners regarding the motion, Director
Elverum suggested a motion be made that includes all of the discussion points made
during the meeting that received general support from the Commission.
Motion failed due to lack of a Second.
Motion by Sedoff. Second by Terrill.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2022-03, recommending the Hopkins City Council
approve an ordinance amending the Planning and Zoning Section of the City
Code by repealing and replacing in its entirety Part III — Land Development,
Chapter 100 — Subdivisions and Chapter 102 — Planning and Zoning with
modifications to expand duplexes in the N3 -A zone, reduce rear setback
requirements for alley facing garages and removing the requirement for deed
restrictions in zones where two unit dwellings are allowed.
Ayes: Sedoff, Terrill
Nays: Wright, White, Dyrland, Stiele. Motion failed.
Motion by Wright. Second by Terrill.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2022-03, recommending the Hopkins City Council
approve an ordinance amending the Planning and Zoning Section of the City
Code by repealing and replacing in its entirety Part III — Land Development,
Chapter 100 — Subdivisions and Chapter 102 — Planning and Zoning with further
modifications to expand two unit homes in the N3 -A district with additional
requirements, reduction of rear setback in alley facing garages to 10 feet with
input from Public Works, removing deed restriction requirement against
properties where two unit dwellings are allowed, and recommend pursuing a
process to explore the adoption of equity subcommittee recommendations as
standalone policies or future zoning amendments.
Ayes: Terrill, Sedoff, Stiele, Wright
Nays: White, Dyrland. Motion carried.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
MAY 31, 2022
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Director Elverum introduced Ryan Krzos as the new City Planner for Hopkins.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Terrill Second by Sedoff
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Courtney Pearsall, Administrative Assistant
ATTF4T-