PZ Minutes 08-22-2023HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 22, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning &
Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1st Street South.
Chairperson Wright called the meeting to order with Commission Members Terrill, Nur,
Green, Fauchald, Ilstrup and Goodlund attending. Also present was City Planner Krzos
and Planner Howard.
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Terrill. Second by Nur.
Motion Adopt Agenda as presented.
Ayes:
Nays: None. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Illstrup. Second by Green.
Motion Approve the Consent Agenda
1. Minutes of the July 25, 2023 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
Ayes:
Nays: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. 2023-11 Text Amendment for Attached Garage Setbacks for New Construction
in N3-B Zones
Planner Howard summarized Planning Application 2023-11. In July of 2022, the City’s
zoning code update 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. The code update originally required attached
garages in N3-B zones to be set back 30 feet from the main principal building’s front
façade and only allowed garage doors to be located on the rear, side, or side street
façade. These standards reflect that most properties located in N3-B zones are served
by improved alleys. However, this presented design challenges to property owners in
the N3-B zone that are not served by an improved alley, including a home proposed at
13 Harrison Avenue South for which variances were requested but denied by the
Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council. The City Council instead directed staff
to further amend the code in order to allow homes designed in the same manner as 13
Harrison Avenue South to be constructed in N3-B zones on undeveloped lots that are
not served by alleys.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 22, 2023
The proposed ordinance would allow garage additions to be constructed to the same
setback as the existing garage in legally nonconforming attached garages on N3-B
properties that do not have access to an improved alley. The ordinance would also
allow attached garages to project in front of the principal building’s front façade by up to
12 feet for new construction on vacant N3-B lots that lack access to an improved alley if
specific conditions to garage width, height and opacity are met.
Chairperson Wright opened the public hearing. There were no public comments.
Motion by Goodlund. Second by Illstrup.
Motion Close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Green. Second by Nur.
Motion Adopt Planning & Zoning Resolution 2023-12, recommending the
Hopkins City Council approve an ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the City Code
Regarding Attached Garage Setbacks for New Construction in N3-B Zones.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. 2023-10 Hopkins Rail Support Facility (1515 6th Street South) Review
City Planner Krzos summarized Planning Application 2023-10. The Metropolitan Council
via Metro Transit’s Green Line Light Rail Extension (LRT) project is proposing to
construct an approximately 24,000 square foot maintenance facility at 1515 6th Street
South. The proposed building will contain truck garage space, workshop areas,
warehousing and office spaces. The facility will be staffed 24-hours a day by
approximately 50 full-time equivalent employees. There was no formal action taken on
the item. The Planning & Zoning Commission was asked to provide feedback and
review the proposed facility for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.
Ryan Kronzer, Assistant Director for Design Engineering and Joe Johnson, Design
Lead from the Metropolitan Council provided a construction update on Green Line
extension and additional information about the rail support facility. General discussion
from the Commission focused on proposed landscaping, outdoor storage, truck
circulation, impervious coverage and sustainability aspects including storm water,
wastewater, and solar energy potential.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 22, 2023
Motion by Fauchald. Second by Terrill.
Motion Adopt Planning & Zoning Resolution 2023-11, finding that the proposed
Hopkins Rail Support Facility is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, with the
inclusion of an amendment that the resolution drafted for City Council approval includes
language related to the City goals discussed during the Planning & Zoning Commission
meeting.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Planner Krzos updated the Commission on past projects and upcoming agenda
items.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning & Zoning Commission and
upon a motion by Goodlund, second by Green, the meeting was unanimously adjourned
at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Courtney Pearsall, Administrative Assistant