V. 2. 2023-04 Text Amendment for Attached Garage Setbacks in N3-B Zones
CITY OF HOPKINS
Planning Application 2023-04
To: Planning and Zoning Commission Chair and Members of the Commission
From: Kurt Howard, Planner
Date: May 23, 2023
Subject: Text Amendment for Attached Garage Setbacks in N3-B Zones
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO Adopt Planning & Zoning Resolution 2023-04, recommending the Hopkins
City Council approve an ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the City Code Regarding
Attached Garage Setbacks in N3-B Zones
OVERVIEW
The City’s updated Zoning Code established new provisions related to setbacks for
attached garages relative to the main principal building’s front façade in neighborhood
zones and the allowed locations for garage doors in order to encourage development
that is human-scaled and pedestrian-oriented. More specifically, the code requires
attached garages in N3-B, Small Lot Traditional Neighborhood zones be set back 30
feet from the main principal building’s front façade and only allows garage doors to be
located on the rear, side, or side street façade. These standards reflect that most, but
not all, properties located in N3-B zones are served by improved alleys, which may
present design challenges to property owners seeking to construct garages on
properties in the N3-B zone that are not served by an improved alley.
The proposed ordinance would grant an exception to the attached garage setback and
garage door location standards to properties in the N3-B zone that are not served by an
improved alley, allowing garages under such circumstances to be designed according
to the standards that apply to N3-A, Mid Lot Traditional Neighborhood zones. More
specifically, the code requires attached garages in the N3-A zone to be set back 10 feet
from the main principal building’s front façade and allows garage doors to be located on
any façade as long as the garage door constitutes no more than 30% of the front
façade width. This proposed ordinance is intended to offer relief to properties located in
N3-B zones that are not served by an improved alley while still encouraging
development to be human-scaled and pedestrian oriented.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Proposed Ordinance 2023-1191 Amending Chapter 102 of the City Code Regarding
Attached Garage Setbacks in N3-B Zones
• Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution 2023-04
• Map of Properties in N3-B Zones With and Without an Adjacent Improved Alley
Planning & Development
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORIDNANCE 2023-1191
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 102 OF THE HOPKINS CITY CODE
REGARDING ATTACHED GARAGES IN N3-B ZONES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS HEREBY ORDAINS AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Hopkins City Code, Part III, Chapter 102, Article 2, Section 102-260 (d), is
hereby amended by adding the double-underlined language as follows:
102-260 (d) Parking & Accessory Structure. See Figure 260-B
9 Driveway
Access
Off alley; if no alley, one off
side street; if no side street,
front street
10
Attached
Garage:
Additional
Setback
10 ft. min.
from main
principal
building's
front facade
30 ft. min.
from main
principal
building's
front façade[1]
[1]The standards for the N3-A zone
apply to properties in the N3-B zone
that are not served by an improved
alley.
11
Allowed
Garage
Door
Location
Any facade;
30% max of
front
facade width
Rear, side,
side street
façade[1]
SECTION 2. In accordance with Section 3.03 of the City Charter and Minn. Stat. §
412.191, subd. 4, due to the significant length of this Ordinance, City staff shall have the
following summary printed in the official City newspaper in lieu of the complete
ordinance:
On June 20, 2023, the Hopkins City Council adopted Ordinance 2023-1191 an
Ordinance Amending Chapter 102 of the Hopkins City Code to allow attached
garages constructed on properties in the N3-B zone that are not served by an
improved alley to be constructed according to design standards that apply to
attached garages in the N3-A zone.
A printed copy of the ordinance is available for inspection during regular business
hours at Hopkins City Hall and is available online at the City’s web site located at
www.hopkinsmn.com.
SECTION 3. The effective date of this ordinance shall be June 29, 2023.
First Reading: June 6, 2023
Second Reading: June 20, 2023
Date of Publication: June 29, 2023
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: June 29, 2023
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2023-04
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 102 OF THE CITY CODE REGARDING ATTACHED
GARAGES IN N3-B ZONES
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins’s updated Zoning Code adopted established
provisions related to setbacks and garage door location for attached garages; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ordinance is intended to offer relief to properties located in
N3-B, Small Lot Traditional Neighborhood zones that are not served by an improved
alley while still encouraging development to be human-scaled and pedestrian oriented;
and
WHEREAS, the Hopkins Zoning and Planning Commission, pursuant to published
notice, held a public hearing on and reviewed the proposed ordinance on May 23, 2023:
all persons present were given an opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, the written comments and analysis of City Staff were considered.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning & Zoning Commission of the
City of Hopkins hereby recommends the City Council of the City of Hopkins approve an
ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the City Code Regarding Attached Garages in N3-
B Zones.
Adopted this 23rd day of May, 2023.
___________________________
Nathan White, Chair