Minutes 9-23-25HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Hopkins Planning &
Zoning Commission was held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at Hopkins City Hall, 1010 1st Street South.
Vice Chairperson Miller called the meeting to order with Commission Members
Wiechert, Ujifusa, and Montgomery attending. Chairperson Terrill and Commissioners
Ilstrup and Minter were absent. Also present was City Planner Krzos, Community
Development Manager Needham, Consultants from Van Meter Williams Pollack, and
Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy,
ADOPT AGENDA
Motion by Montgomery. Second by Weichert.
Motion Adopt Agenda as presented.
Ayes: Miller, Montgomery, Wiechert, Ujifusa.
Nays: None. Absent: Ilstrup, Minter, Terrill. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Montgomery. Second by Ujifusa.
Motion Approve the Consent Agenda
1. Minutes of the August 26, 2025 Planning & Zoning Commission regular
meeting.
Ayes: Miller, Montgomery, Wiechert, Ujifusa.
Nays: None. Absent: Ilstrup, Minter, Terrill. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation: Shady Oak Station Area Development Strategy Update
Community Development Manager Needham presented an update on the Shady Oak
Station Area Development Strategy. The Development Strategy Update will ultimately
inform the Request for Proposals for the excess property that the Metropolitan Council
will be disposing of the in the future.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
Laura Shagalov and Andrew Faulkner from Van Meter, Williams and Pollack presented
details of the updated plan.
The Commission shared positive feedback for the updated plan and vision for the
Shady.Oak station area. Additional discussion included street frontage, future
reconstruction of Excelsior Boulevard, collaboration and partnership with the City of
Minnetonka, a temporary lease agreement for activation of land currently owned by the
Metropolitan Council, and current infrastructure at the site.
2. Review of Central Park for Consistency with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Special Projects and Initiatives Manager Imihy presented a summary of Planning &
Zoning Commission Report 2025-08. In 2022, the City of Hopkins began working to
create a 20-year vision for the City's parks and open spaces, known as the Park System
Master Plan (PSMP). Central Park was selected as the first project to work on following
the master plan and since 2024 City staff has worked with consultant Bolton and Menk
to develop the master plan for Central Park. Ms. Imihy presented an overview of the
plan to the Commission.
Commission discussion included the reasoning for selecting Central Park as the first
park to be redeveloped, possible timeline for implementing the rest of the parks featured
in the PSMP, appreciation for the new playground and amenity improvements, current
soil contamination and stormwater issues on the site, estimated cost of the project,
parking and vehicle access, restroom facilities, additional pathways through the park
and pedestrian crossing improvements at Excelsior Boulevard,
Motion by Ujifusa. Second by Weichert.
Motion finding the Central Park Master Plan is consistent with the 2040
Comprehensive Plan.
Ayes: Miller, Montgomery, Wiechert, Ujifusa.
Nays: None. Absent: Ilstrup, Minter, Terrill. Motion carried.
The next step in the process will be an open house on November 17 at the Hopkins
Pavilion to gather feedback from the public. The plans will then go out for bid in January
with the expectation of breaking ground on the project in spring of 2026. Completion of
the project is anticipated June of 2027.
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 Montgomery, second by Ujifusa, the meeting was unanimously
adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
HOPKINS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
Respectfully Submitted,
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Courtney Pearsall, Administrative Assistant