05-26-1987•
A regular meeting of the Hopkins Zoning and Planning
Commission was held on Tuesday, May 26, 1987, at 7:30 p.m.,
in the Counoil Chambers of the City Hall.
Present were members Denny, MoGlennen, Richardson and
Shirley. Also present were Community Development Director
Mielke, Planning and Economic Development Director Kerrigan
and Community Development Analyst Anderson.
In the abeenoe of Chairman Anderson, Mr. MoGlennen chaired
the meeting.
ITEM: (1 -8)
Mr. Shirley moved and Ms. Richardson seconded a motion
that the minutes of the April 28, 1987 meeting be
approved and signed. Motion parried unanimously.
CASE NO: CUP87 -10 (17 -185)
Hearing to consider an application by Knox Lumber
Company, 250 - 5th Avenue South, for a Conditional Use
Permit to construct a warehouse on the property west of
their current building, continued from the April 28,
1987 meeting.
Mr. Jameson, representing Knox Lumber, appeared before
the Commission and stated that the proposed building
has been reduced in size and the exterior has been
ohanged from metal to precast concrete. The warehouse
will match the existing building.
Mr. Constable, representing the owner of the property,
stated that the new exterior was more acceptable.
Ms. Riohardson moved and Mr. Denny seconded a motion
recommending to the Council approval of the Conditional
Use Permit with the Findings of Fact: 1. That a
warehouse is a permitted use in an I -2 Distriot.2. That
the proposed warehouse meets the requirements for an I-
2 District. 3. That the proposed warehouse meets the
requirements for a Conditional Use Permit; and with the
Condition: 1. That landscaping and screening are
provided on the west and south lot lines as acceptable
by staff. Motion carried unanimously.
CASE NO: CUP87 -12 (186 -190)
Hearing to consider an application by Mark Eklo Homes
for a Conditional Use Permit to construct an eight unit
townhome at the rear of properties east of Van Buren
Avenue North and south of Oak Park Lane, continued from
the April 28, 1987 meeting.
This hearing was continued to the June meeting at the
request of the applicant.
ITEM: (191 -195)
Review of a Variance request by Roberto & Peggy
Hammeken of 525 7th Avenue South to allow the use of
their home as a triplex. The use was continued for one
year with conditions and to be reviewed by the
Commission in one year.
This item was continued to the June meeting at the
request of the applicant.
•
5/26/87
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CASE NO: CUP87 -4 (195 -233)
Applioation by Jack Welsh for a Conditional Use Permit
to construct a convenience store /oar wash at 7th Street
South and 11th Avenue referred from Counoil back to
Planning Commission for review.
The applioant presented new plans for the project that
has a drive -thru oar waah instead of the four bay oar
wash as previously submitted, and the northerly ingress
on 11th Avenue will be a right -in only and provide
stacking for two cars. The proposed site plan is the
result of input from'Benshoof & Associates.
There was no one present in opposition to the project.
Ms. Richardson moved and Mr. Denny seconded a motion
recommending to the Counoil approval of the Conditional
Use Permit with the following Findings of Faot and
Conditions:
1. The proposed plans meet the requirements for a motor
fuel station. 2. The proposed plan meets the
requirements for a oar wash. 3. That a motor fuel
station and car wash are permitted uses in a B -3
District; and with the Condition: 1. That the northerly
aooess point be an ingress only. Motion carried
unanimously.
CASE N0: SUBD87 -1 (233 -235)
Applioation by Jack Welsh for Subdivision approval to
divide the lot at the southwest corner of 7th Street
South & 11th Avenue, referred from Council back to
Planning Commission for review.
With approval of Conditional Use Permit CUP87 -4 with
the revised plans, the subdivision was not necessary
and the application was withdrawn.
CASE NO: CUP87 -13 (242 -719)
Hearing to consider an application by Eugene Maxwell
for a Conditional Use Permit to allow gas pumps at 5 -
6th Avenue South, site of the Midnight Market and Jim's
Liquor.
Mr. Maxwell reviewed the proposed plans with the
Commission and stated that no variances will be
required. He also stated that the County right -of -way
property is a year -to -year lease and he has the first
option to buy. He submitted an alternate plan without
the right -of -way property. It was noted that he will
meet the ordinance requirements without the County
right -of -way.
Ms. Jacob, District Manager for Jet Gas, stated that
they had applied for a liquor license and was denied.
She felt that if gas pumps are allowed on this site
with the liquor store it would be the same as Jet
selling beer. Staff will check with the City Attorney
prior to the Council meeting regarding the issue.
5/26/87
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A resident stated concern of inoreased traffic in the
alley. Hr. Maxwell stated that if a problem occurred
in the future he would be willing to work with the City
to resolve the problem.
Hr. Denny moved and Ms. Richardson seconded a motion
reoommending to the Council approval of the Conditional
Use Permit with the Findings of Faot: 1. That a motor
fuel station is a permitted use in the B -3 Diatriot, 2.
That the motor fuel station meets the requirements as
outlined and no variances are required; and with the
Conditions: 1. If the applicant ceases or loses his
lease to the Hennepin County right -of -way property the
applioant be required to implement the alternate plan
as submitted, 2. If found by the City Council at some
future date that traffic in the residential alley is a
problem due to this parcel of property, the Conditional
Use Permit may be re- examined and additional conditions
attached to the Conditional Use Permit. Motion carried
unanimously.
CASE NO: CUP87 -14 (724 -764)
Hearing to oonsider an application by Jeff Mackenstadt
for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a six foot
fence at 1417 Boyce Street, between his property and
St. Johns Church.
Mr. Mackenstadt appeared before the Commission and
stated that they wanted the fence for privacy from the
playground. He also presented a letter from the
adjacent property owner stating that they had no
objeotion to the fenoe. It was also stated that St.
John's has no objeotion to the fence.
Ms. Riohardson moved and Mr. Denny seconded a motion
recommending to the Council approval of the Conditional
Use Permit to construct a six foot fence with the
Findings of Faot: 1. The fence is necessary to protect
and buffer the applicants property from the playground.
2. Use abutting sideyard where subject fence is to be
oonstruoted is more intense than that of a single
family dwelling. 3. Special Use Fence is allowed by
Conditional Use Permit; and with the Conditions: 1. The
fenoe will be made of cedar and maintained to an
acceptable standard. 2. The fence will not exceed six
feet in height. Motion carried unanimously.
CASE NO: CUP87 -15 (765 -823)
Hearing to consider an application by the Hopkins
School District for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a
10'x6' sign at 1001 Highway No. 7, site of Hopkins
Eisenhower Community Center.
Mr. Keith Kerstetter, representing the Hopkins School
Distriot, stated they were in two years ago for a
larger sign and were denied their request. The
previous sign request was 160 square feet per side.
CCDC has reviewed the proposed sign and had no
comments. Mr. Kerstetter stated the sign was to give a
central location for news and events.
5/26/87
-4-
No one appeared in opposition to the request.
Mr. Denny moved and Ms. Richardson seconded a motion
recommending to the Counoil approval of the Conditional
Use Permit for a 10'x6' sign with the Findings of Fact;
1. The sign meets the conditional as outlined in the
ordinanoe; and with the Condition: 1. That no portable
signs are used on the Community Center site. Motion
carried unanimously.
CASE NO: VN87 -4 (825 -1150)
Hearing to oonsider an application by Midwest Auto
Malls for variance requests to exceed the square
footage allowed and maximum sign area at the northeast
oorner of County Road 3 and 11th Avenue South, future
site of the Auto Mall.
Mr. Richard Lang of Sign Consultants presented the sign
plans to the Commission. It was stated they need 90
square feet of the pylon signs because there will be
seven tenants to advertise on the sign. It was also
stated that the tenants will not be allowed window
signs. Both upper and lower case letters will be used.
The Commission stated concern over the use of tempera
paint on the windows.
Ms. Richardson moved and Mr. Denny seconded a motion
recommending to the Council approval of the sign
variance with the Findings of Fact: 1. That a hardship
exist due to the shape of the property, 2. That a
hardship exists because of the amount of frontage the
site has; and with the Conditions: 1. That no temporary
signs are used inoluding tempera paint on the windows,
2. That the businesses will have uniform eignage, 3.
That 3 foot letters be allowed for fascia signs if both
upper and lower case lettering is used, and 2 foot
letters if only upper case is used. Motion carried
unanimously.
CASE NO: CUP87 -16 91155-1332)
Hearing to oonsider an application by Super Valu Stores
Inc. for a Conditional Use Permit to construct an
addition to the existing freezer facility at 101
Jefferson Avenue South.
Mr. Dave Linner, Architect for Super Valu, presented
the plans to the Commission. He stated that the new
freezer will oocupy space currently used by a tractor
atorage and general merohandise area, located in the
northwest corner of their main oomplex, and will be
constructed of insulated metal panels. He pointed out
that the present offices are higher than the proposed
freezer facility.
An adjaoent property owner stated concern about more
noise being created on the site. It was stated that
the sound wall will be started this summer and should
take care of most of the noise problems.
Mr. Denny moved and Ms. Richardson seconded a motion
recommending to the Counoil approval of the Conditional
5/26/87
- 5 -
Use Permit to oonatruot a freezer facility at Super
Valu with the Findings of Fact: 1. That the proposed
addition meets the requirements for an I -2 District, 2.
That the proposed addition meets the requirements for a
Conditional Use Permit. Motion carried unanimously.
CASE NO: VN87 -6 (1332 -1350)
Hearing to ooneider an application by Super Valu Stores
Inc. for a variance to the height restrictions for the
new freezer addition at 101 Jefferson Avenue South.
The Commission considered the variance during their
disoussion concerning the Conditional Use Permit.
Ms. Richardson moved and Mr. Denny seoonded a motion
recommending to the Council approval of the height
variance for the freezer facility at Super Valu with
the Findings of Fact: 1. That the limitation of 35 feet
in height within the ordinanoe is inadequate and
perhaps should be revised to 45 feet, 2. The variance
would not cause a hardship on surrounding properties;
and with the Condition: 1. That the Conditional Use
Permit is granted. Motion carried unanimously.
CASE NO: VN87 -5 (Tape 2, 1 -514)
Hearing to consider an application by Baton Corporation
for Variances to allow construction of a
condo /townhouse project on Block 7, West Minneapolis
for front yard setback, sideyard setback, rear yard
setbaok, distance between buildings and building
coverage.
The Commission reviewed these variances along with the
requested Conditional Use Permit at one time.
Mr. Gilyard reviewed the proposed plans for
oonatruotion of 48 townhouses on a portion of Block 7,
West Minneapolis with the Commission. He stated the
townhouses will be owner occupied with a starting price
of approximately *75,00. The owner will have the
option of designing the interior. Mr. Gilyard also
presented an alternative plan with 26 condos and 32
townhouss. This alternative plan will provide some
flexibility in design to respond to market changes.
The project will be constructed in four phases starting
at the southeast corner of the block and move in a
clockwise direotion.
Mr. Gilyard stated the variances are needed to provide
more parking and also from a design perspective.
Hr. Grossman of Suburban Chevrolet was concerned with
the landsoaping on the north side of the property which
abuts his property. They have had a problem with sap
falling from the tress and ruining the paint on the
oars.
No one appeared in opposition to the project.
5/26/87
-6-
Ms. Richardson moved and Mr. Denny seconded a motion
reoommending to the Counoil approval of the variances
with the Findings of Fact: 1. That a unique
circumstance exists due to the extensive amount of
frontage on public atreeta, 2. The HRA in their request
for proposal stated that they wanted, from an
architectural standpoint, 11th Avenue should be treated
as the front yard even though this is not the front
yard by ordinance, 3. Architect, parking and design
constraints, requested by the City Council make
variances from the ordinance required, 4. That the
price paid for the site would necessarily decrease with
a lower unit oount; if the site price remains the same
the price of the units would rise and, therefore, put
the project potentially on a slower development track;
the tax base return to the City would be adversely
affected with a lower unit count, 5. By significantly
reducing the density, the vitality of the project
design would be diminished; if more conventional
spacings and setbacks were to be incorporated, the
overall architectural statement would lose some of its
unique appeal within the buyer marketplace for 'edge of
downtown' townhomes, 6. That the granting of the
variances would not adversely affect the surrounding
area, 7. That the ordinance does not adequately
faoilitate a high density residential development in
the CBD of this type; and with the Conditions: 1. That
the Conditional Use Permit is granted, 2. That the
alleys in Blook 7 are vacated. Motion carried
unanimously.
CASE NO: CUP87 -17 (482 - )
Hearing to consider an application by Baton Corporation
for a Conditional Use Permit to construct owner
occupied condo /townhouses on Block 7, West Minneapolis.
Ms. Richardson moved and Mr. Denny seconded a motion
recommending to the Counoil approval of the Conditional
Use Permit to construct oondo /townhouses on Block 7,
West Minneapolis with the Findings of Fact: 1. That the
development meets the requirements for a P.U.D., 2.
That the development meets the requirements for a
Conditional Use Permit; and with the Conditions: 1.
That the requested variances are approved, 2. That the
applicant secures ownership of the property, 3. That
both plans are accepted, 4. That the applicant provide
an aooeaa plan for the first two phases, 5. Landscape
plan be amended to provide proper screening but not
infringe on the property to the north. Motion carried
unanimously.
CASE NO: VAC87 -1 (633 -684)
Hearing to oonsider the vacation of all alleys in Block
7, Weat Minneapolis, for the purpose of constructing
condo /townhouses.
There are two utilities in the alley, electric and
cable. Both utilities were notified.
5/26/87
ITEM: (685 -763)
Continued hearing on proposed ordinance restricting the
use of skateboard ramps in residential districts.
ITEM:
ATTEST:
Mr. Denny moved and Ms. Riohardson seconded a motion to
recommend to Council approval of the Ordinance to
vacate the alleys in Block 7 for first reading with the
oondition that the second . reading of the Ordinance be
delayed until the developer starts on Phase II. Motion
carried unanimously.
A resident of Interlachen Park spoke in regard to the
proposed ordinance. She stated that the ramp infringes
on the enjoyment of the property of others due to the
noise generated from the ramps. They feel there is a
need for the ordinance. Another resident asked if the
proposed ordinance would restrict the use of existing
ramps. It was noted that they will be grandfathered
in, but would be dealt with as a nuisance.
Mr. Denny moved and Ms. Richardson seconded a motion
recommending to the Council approval of the ordinance
restricting the use of skateboard ramps in residential
districts. Motion carried. Mr. MoGlennen voting nay.
Review of proposed ordinance changes regarding Planned
Unit Development, continued from the April 28, 1987
meeting.
It was the decision of the Commission and staff to
review the proposed ordinance changes at 6:30 p.m.
prior to the regular Zoning and Planning Commission
meeting, June 30, 1987.
Ms. Richardson moved and Mr. Denny seconded a motion
that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
Michael MoGlennen,
Chairman Pro -tem
MEMBERS: