07-30-1985A regular meeting of the Hopkins Zoning and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday,
July 30, 1985, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the City Hall.
Present were Chairman Folk, members Berg, Bourne, Janke, Kirscht and Milbert. Also
present were City Engineer Strojan, Community Development Director Kerrigan and Com-
munity Development Analyst Anderson.
Item: Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Janke seconded a motion that the minutes of the
2 -4 June 25, 1985 meeting be approved and signed. Motion carried unanimously.
Case No: Hearing on an application by Lester J. Maasch of 354 Althea Lane for a
85 -35 five foot sideyard variance for construction of an addition to the existing
5 -215 garage.
Mr. Maasch and Mr. Max Otto, representing Mr. Maasch, reviewed the request
with the Commission. They stated the need for more enclosed storage and
the fact that two other homes on Herman Terrace had received variances. Also,
they felt that all the cars parked on the street were a hazard. A statement
from the adjoining property owner was presented to the Commission stating
agreement with the request, however the home has been sold since the signing
of the statement and the new owners have not been contacted.
The Commission found no hardship involved for the request and stated that
there would still be cars parked on the street. Also the new owner had not
been contacted.
Action: Mrs. Bourne moved and Mr. Berg seconded a motion to continue the request to
give the applicant time to get the views of the Fire Marshal as to any
hazard involved and also to contact the new owners of the adjoining property.
Tie vote - Mr. Janke, Mr. Kirscht and Mr. Folk voting nay.
Mr. Janke moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion recommending to the Council
denial of the request due to the lack of hardship and fire danger with the
buildings being so close. Motion carried. Mr. Milbert voting nay.
Case No: Hearing on an application by Hopkins HRA to construct a 6 foot high fence on
85 -36 the south property line at 29 -39 and 101 -107 20th Avenue South.
216 -314
Jim Kerrigan, representing Hopkins HRA, reviewed the request with the Com-
mission stating that the adjoining property owner had requested the fence
due to litter blowing onto his property, children climbing the trees in his
yard. He also stated that the fence was to be part of the original plan but
had never been constructed.
Tom Power, adjoining property owner, and Diane Dvorak, tenant of Mr. Powers,
stated that the children are always climbing the trees and there is garbage
all over the yard constantly. They feel it would help the problem consider-
ably.
Action: Mr. Milbert moved and Mr. Berg seconded a motion recommending to the Council
approval of the 6 foot high, chain link fence or chain link with fabric, to
be constructed on the south property line with knuckle top and bottom. Motion
carried unanimously.
Case No: Hearing on an application by Hopkins Commerce Center for a Concept Review to
85 -37 build a 4000 square foot addition to the existing building located at 1007-
317 -478 1021 East Excelsior Avenue.
Mr. Marion Neumann and Mark Youngdahl reviewed the expansion plans with the
Commission. They stated that there was a mis- calculation on the plans and
that they would need one more parking stall. The two buildings are under one
common ownership. With the construction of the new addition it may be possible
to remove the lean -to.
The Commission looked favorably on the expansion plans and requested the
applicant to get the necessary approval from the County for the curb cut onto
Excelsior Avenue, review the proper signage, check on parking setback and
work some landscaping into the plan before application for a Conditional Use
Permit.
•
Zoning and Planning Commission minutes of July 30, 1985 - continued.
Item: Request by Blake School to have a bus exit from the southwest corner of their
479 -778 property using a section of the old streetcar right -of -way.
Marlys Cantar of Eberhardt Company and John Stander, Headmaster of Blake
School reviewed the request with the Commission stating the need for different
routing patterns for the dismissal of 500 students and 100 employees safely.
They felt that this plan would have the least impact on the residential area
and they would control a locked gate and police the area. They also stated
that widening of the present road would not solve their problem.
Residents from the area presented a petition asking that the walkway not be
destroyed. They also commented on the heavy traffic use on the streets,
home in close proximity to bike path would force windows to be closed, elderly
neighborhood more of a quiet nature and asked that the issue be referred to
the Park Board before any decision be made. They felt it would have a serious
affect on homes in the area and that the problem can be solved other ways.
Action: Mr. Milbert moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion recommending to the Council
denial of the request to have a bus exit from the southwest corner of their
property for the following reasons: 1. preserve the bike pathway; 2. it is
an internal circulation problem; 3. preservation of the neighborhood;
4. the problem can be solved by improving traffic flow on to Blake Road.
Motion carried.
Item: Proposed language for a change in the Zoning Ordinance regarding signs in
residential areas.
Item: The Commission reviewed information on sites for possible rezoning to comply
with the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Berg moved and Mr. Janke seconded a motion that a hearing be scheduled
for August 27, 1985 for rezoning of the property numbered 18 from R -6 to I -2,
and property number 19 from R -6 and R -4 to B -1, as noted in the July 30, 1985
memo to the Commission. Motion carried.
Item: Staff was asked to follow up on the Conditional Use Permit for Jeff's Auto
on 15th Avenue and Mainstreet due to lack of compliance regarding landscaping.
ATTEST:
Mr. Berg moved and Mrs. Bourne seconded a motion that a hearing be held on
August 27, 1985 regarding signs in Residential Districts and also include
overhanging signs in the Business District. Motion carried. Window signage
to be studied at a later date.
Mr. Milbert moved and Mr. Kirscht seconded a motion that staff notify the
owner regarding non - conformance. Motion carried.
Mrs. Bourne moved and Mr. Milbert seconded a motion that the meeting be
adjourned. Motion carried. 10:00 p.m.
James Folk, Chairman
MEMBERS: