PZ Minutes 07-25-2023HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JULY 25, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning &
Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at City Hall, 1010 1st Street South.
Acting Chairperson Goodlund called the meeting to order with Commission Members
Terrill, Nur, Green, Fauchald and Ilstrup attending. Commissioner Wright and Youth
Members Stiele and Erickson were absent. Also present was City Planner Krzos and
Planner Howard.
Acting Chairperson Goodlund welcomed the new Planning & Zoning Commission
Members.
AD OPT AGENDA
Motion by Terrill. Second by Green.
Motion Adopt Agenda as presented.
Ayes:
Nays: None. Absent: Wright. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Terrill. Second by Nur.
Motion Approve the Consent Agenda
1. Minutes of the June 27, 2023 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
Ayes:
Nays: None. Absent: Wright. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. 2023-06 238 15th Avenue North Lot Width Variance
Planner Howard summarized staff report 2023-06. The applicant, Dale Moldenhauer
requested a variance to the minimum lot width standard to subdivide an existing parcel
into two lots. Planner Howard noted that no building permits had been submitted for
construction of a new structure and the scope of the variance is limited to the
subdivision request.
Mr. Moldenhauer provided additional background on the property and his intention with
the parcel if the variance is approved.
Acting Chairperson Goodlund opened the Public Hearing. There were no public
comments.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JULY 25, 2023
Motion by Terrill. Second by Green.
Motion Close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Wright. Motion carried.
Alan Schutte, resident at 215 15th Avenue North, questioned where the front of the
house and garage access would be located. City Planner Krzos stated that the house
would likely face 15th Avenue and driveway access would be off of the rear alley.
Motion by Fauchald. Second by Illstrup.
Motion Adopt Resolution 2023-08 recommending the Hopkins City Council
approve the variance request
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Wright. Motion carried.
2. 2023-07 314 Mainstreet (Walser Chrysler) Planned Unit Development and
Amended Conditional Use Permit
City Planner Krzos summarized staff report 2023-07. Walser Chrysler Estate Inc.
requested land use approvals to allow an expansion of the Walser Chrysler vehicle
sales lot at 314 Mainstreet onto property acquired from the Hennepin County Railroad
Authority located to the south of the facility. Brief discussion included grading and
drainage plans.
David Philips, architect for Walser Real Estate and Automotive Group, addressed the
Commission to provide additional information on the landscaping plan.
Acting Chairperson Goodlund opened the Public Hearing. There were no public
comments.
Motion by Terrill. Second by Nur.
Motion Close the Public Hearing.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Wright. Motion carried.
Motion by Terrill. Second by Illstrup.
Motion Adopt Planning & Zoning Resolution 2023-09 recommending the
Hopkins City Council approve the PUD Overlay Rezoning Ordinance and granting PUD
Site Plan approval for 314 Mainstreet.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Wright. Motion carried.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JULY 25, 2023
Motion by Green. Second by Terrill.
Motion Adopt Planning & Zoning Resolution 2023-10 recommending the
Hopkins City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit Amendment allowing an
expansion to the vehicle sales and service use at 314 Mainstreet.
Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Absent: Wright. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1.Discussion of Further Amendments to Attached Garage Setbacks in N3-B
Zones
City Planner Krzos stated that the purpose of the discussion was for staff to present
information on options regarding further amendments to the code to allow front-loaded
garages in N3-B zones when properties are not served by an alley. At previous
meetings, both the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council voted to deny a
requested variance to allow a home to be constructed with a front-loaded garage at 13
Harrison Avenue South and approved an ordinance amending the zoning code
regarding attached garage setbacks in N3-B zones for properties without an alley. The
City Council directed staff to consider options to further amend the code so that it would
allow homes of a similar design as the home proposed at 13 Harrison Avenue South on
properties in the N3-B zone that do not have alley access.
Some of the modifications staff has considered was allowing front-loaded garages that
extend past the front of the principal property only on new construction in N3-B zones
that do not have alley access, limiting the size of garage doors to 16 feet and requiring
windows on garages. Discussion from the Commission was generally supportive of
further amending the code as presented by staff.
Briana Frederick, property owner of 13 Harrison Avenue South, addressed the
Commission to state that the garage on the proposed house would not be the main
focal point of the property.
The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing for the formal ordinance
amendment at the August 22 meeting which will afterwards be presented to the City
Council for final approval.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Planner Krzos updated the Commission on past projects and upcoming agenda
items. Planner Howard shared information on upcoming engagement for future 17th
Avenue reconstruction which would include dedicated bicycle and pedestrian features.
Commissioner Goodlund explained the Planning & Zoning Commission’s goals for
increased public engagement to the new Commissioners.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
JULY 25, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning & Zoning Commission and
upon a motion by Terrill, second by Green, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at
7:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Courtney Pearsall, Administrative Assistant