Commission Minutes ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
September 30, 1997
A regular meeting of the Zoning and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, September 30, 1997,
at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Hopkins City Hall.
Present were Commission members Sid Blair, Bill Schumacher, Dorothy Boen, Randy Engel, Roger
Gross, and Council Representative Fran Hesch.
Also present were City Planner Nancy Anderson, Director of Economic Development and Planning,
Jim Kerrigan, Economic Development Coordinator Jim Hartshorn, and City Attorney Jerre Miller.
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Engel called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Blair moved and Mrs. Boen seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the August 26, 1997,
meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
CASE NO: VAC97 -2 VACATION OF ALLEY ALLIANT TECH
Ms. Anderson reviewed the reasons for the vacation of the alley. Jim Kuhlemeier from Alliant Tech
appeared before the Commission. The Commission asked Mr. Kuhlemeier who would maintain the
storm sewer. Mr. Kuhlemeier responded that Alliant Tech would be responsible for the maintenance
of the storm sewer.
The public hearing was opened at 6:35 p.m. There was no one in the audience to speak on this issue.
Mr. Schumacher moved and Mr. Blair seconded a motion to close the public hearing at 6:36 p.m. The
motion carried unanimously. Mr. Schumacher moved and Mr. Blair seconded a motion to approve
Resolution RZ97 -17, recommending approval of Ordinance 97 -806, vacating an alley west of
Alliant Tech. The motion carried unanimously.
CASE NO: ZCR97 -2 CONCEPT REVIEW HENNEPIN COUNTY SITE
Ms. Anderson reviewed the proposed redevelopment for the Hennepin County Site. Deb Carlson,
representing SuperValu, appeared before the Commission. Ms. Carlson gave an overview of the
development. She also stated that SuperValu is only committed to Phase I of the development and
they have secured no property at this time.
MINUTES OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING MEETING
Page 2
4110 Jim Benshoof, the traffic consultant working on the traffic study for this development appeared before
the Commission. Mr. Benshoof stated that they are in the process of working on the traffic study.
The following are items they are studying:
Neighborhoods:
o Park Valley neighborhood
o Harley Hopkins neighborhood
o Edina
Street Intersections
o 1 lth and Excelsior Boulevard
o Fifth Avenue and Excelsior Boulevard
o West Frontage road with Excelsior Boulevard and with Milwaukee Street
o 169 east ramp and Excelsior Boulevard
o St. Louis Street and Excelsior Boulevard
o Milwaukee Street and Excelsior Boulevard
Transit and Trails
Accessibility for SuperValu
0 The following residents spoke regarding the SuperValu development:
Don Roesner 618 West Park Valley Drive
Mr. Roesner was concerned with the traffic. Mr. Roesner made the following recommendations
regarding the traffic:
o cul -de -sac the existing 5th Street at Buffer Park
o create a new 5th Street north of the lilac bushes
o no trucks on 5th Street, 2nd Avenue and West Frontage Road
Paul Labounty 537 Seventh Avenue South
Mr. Labounty was concerned with the closing of 6th Avenue. There would be more traffic on 11th
Avenue.
Tim Ralston 500 Fifth Avenue South
Mr. Ralston stated he agreed with the previous speakers. There is a lot of speeding on 5th Street and
wanted a cul -de -sac at Fifth Street
MINUTES OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING MEETING
Page 3
0 Dan Eagan 41 VanBuren Avenue
Concerned with Milwaukee and Monroe intersection. Wanted to keep the option open for Monroe to
run north if the North Annex is redeveloped. Where are the trucks going to park during construction?
Mr. Benshoof responded to Mr. Eagan's comments. Mr. Benshoof stated that the City Council
recently approved of the improvements to County Road 3 in this area. St. Louis Street and
Milwaukee will be maintained. There will be improvements to the intersection at Milwaukee. There
will be no traffic light at Monroe and Milwaukee.
Fran Hesch stated that in order for a traffic light to be placed at an intersection there has to be a
certain amount of traffic. At this point there is not enough traffic to warrant a traffic signal at
Monroe.
Sid Blair made the following comments:
o West Frontage Road with no thru traffic at 5th Street
o More green space
o Concerned with the lighting on the south side of building
o Fifth Street and 2nd Avenue no trucks
o If Fifth Street is widened, should be widened to the north
o Wants friendly screening
II o Concerned with corner of Fifth Street and West Frontage Road 90 degree corner
make unfriendly to trucks as possible.
ITEM: DISCUSSION OF PARKING SYSTEM
Jim Hartshorn reviewed the parking system for the Commission. Mr. Hartshorn stated that they are
replacing lights and modifying signage in the parking ramp on the anticipation of more use once the
Arts Facility opens. Mr. Schmaucher stated that the parking study done regarding parking in the
downtown showed there would not be a problem parking once the movie theater and arts facility were
open. Staff responded that there is adequate parking, but we are looking at alternatives for a big event
or, if in the future, there is a need for more parking.
Mr. Engel asked how the surface ramps will be identified. Mr. Hartshorn stated that maps showing
the free parking lots will be distributed.
The Commission asked about expanding the ramp and security cameras. Staff responded that at this
time the ramp will not be expanded and there will be no security cameras installed.
MINUTES OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING MEETING
Page 4
ADJOURN
Mr. Blair moved and Mr. Gross seconded a motion to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. The motion carried
unanimously.
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