08-16-2016 City Council Joint Meeting with City of Minnetonka CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA
JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a joint work session of the Hopkins City Council and
Minnetonka City Council was held on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the Raspberry
Room at Hopkins City Hall, 1010 First Street South, Hopkins.
Hopkins Council Present: Katie Campbell, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson,
Aaron Kuznia, and Mayor Molly Cummings
Minnetonka Council Present: Patty Acomb, Dick Allendorf, Tim Bergstedt, Bob
Ellingson, Tony Wagner, Brad Wiersum, and Mayor Terry
Schneider
Hopkins Staff: City Manager Mornson, Director of Economic
Development and Planning Elverum, Assistant City
Manager Lenz, City Planner Lindahl
Minnetonka Staff: City Manager Barone, City Planner Gordon, City Attorney
Heine, Director of Engineering Manchester, Community
Development Director Wischnack
Mayor Cummings called the meeting to order and welcomed the City of Minnetonka staff and
Council. Mayor Cummings commented on the importance to meet regularly in order to plan and
accomplish the goals of both cities.
City Planner Lindahl and City Planner Gordon gave an overview of the Joint Work Session
agenda. The staff will review the proposed zoning regulations that will help shape the ordinance
and joint powers agreement.
Mr. Gordon gave an overview of the development strategy and vision for the Shady Oak Station
area. The area would be a high-density area that includes employment and housing opportunities
with the focus on the station area. Mr. Gordon reviewed the comments from the Hopkins and
Minnetonka Planning Commissions Work Session regarding the draft zoning regulations. Mr.
Gordon discussed the purpose of the development district which includes building upon the
character of the area, importance of mobility and focus on the trailhead and station area.
Mr. Lindahl gave an overview of the zoning districts and Mr. Gordon discussed the uses for the
areas which should complement each other. Staff recognizes that some of the existing uses will
be nonconforming with the new zoning regulations. Mr. Gordon commented that it is important
to have zoning in line with the strategy adopted.
Mr. Lindahl commented that staff has looked closely at the specific zoning standards which are
different from typical development strategies. The area is intended to have a more dense
development pattern that will support transit. To accomplish this goal, the district includes
recommendations to create active building edges, useable open space, sufficient vehicle and
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CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA
JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016
bicycle parking, adequate loading areas, focused vehicle access and minimum floor area ratios,
building heights and residential densities. Staff noted the district should also include standards
for lighting, landscaping, parking studies and exterior building materials. Staff reviewed each of
the recommended development standards in detail.
Mr. Gordon discussed the structure of the Joint Planning Board that would have representation
from both cities. Staff asked the Councils for feedback on the composition of the Joint Planning
Board and how the board should function. Mr. Gordon commented that in summary if the city
councils support the proposed zoning, the next steps would be to draft a joint powers agreement
and draft a zoning ordinance.
Director of Economic Development and Planning Elverum commented that the focus of the area
is to support transit in a safe environment with development focus around the station area.
City Manager Mornson asked about the number of acres available for development. Staff
commented that most of the 200 acres is available excluding areas of soil correction, storm water
management and the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) Operations and Management
Facility (OMF).
There was discussion regarding the timing of the Comprehensive Plan changes. Community
Development Director Wischnack commented that it is important not to have too much
development in before the zoning is structured.
Staff asked the Councils for feedback on minimum height standards and the structure of the Joint
Planning Board. Staff has looked height standard guidelines of neighboring cities and more
discussion is needed regarding the structure and authority of the Joint Planning Board.
Council Member Wagner commented on concerns about uses in the high-density area,
nonconforming status of existing uses and the low FAR by the station area. Staff commented that
the Consultant incorporated uses and set minimum levels to make the district function and
support transit but the Councils could decide to set higher FAR standards.
Council Member Allendorf commented that developers should be included in a round table
discussion to get their feedback regarding zoning areas that are market friendly.
Council Member Wagner asked if the zoning map would work for tax subsidy. Community
Development Director Wischnack commented that those mechanisms still need to be thought
out.
Council Member Wiersum commented that he would like to see examples of areas with similar
elements to better understand the challenges and target audience. Ms. Elverum commented that
the Consultant has examples of case studies and staff could get those from the Council. Ms.
Elverum commented that staff would like developer feedback on the concept of district parking.
Council Member Acomb commented on the importance of safety, pedestrians and bicycle
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CITY OF H PKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA
JOIN CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
UESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016
opportunities. Council Member ' comb would be interested in hearing what developers say
regarding the FAR and develop•l ent standards. Council Member Acomb commented on the
importance of sustainable storm ater management and the possible impacts to Shady Oak Lake.
Mayor Cummings commented o i the types of uses in the area and the importance to
accommodate the existing non-p ofits that are already in the area. Ms. Elverum commented that
the types or themes of uses has y-t to be determined but the uses would be developed around
transit.
Mayor Schneider commented on forming objectives and goals for the vision and theme of
permitted uses and that permitti a g existing nonconforming use until the property sells or is
redeveloped then they need to •mply. He commented that it is important to establish criteria for
meaningful development parcels Mayor Schneider also asked about affordable housing in the
area. Mayor Schneider comment-d that the Joint Board should act as an advisory board to the
Council meeting regularly durin.. times of application. The concept review stage should be at the
Council level with both Councilmeeting jointly to review the concepts. Ms. Elverum discussed
the existing Overlay District at t i e east end of Hopkins. Staff will continue to look at the process
to structure the sites and the affa dable housing study completed by the Metropolitan Council.
Council Member Wagner would like to explore further recommendations on the makeup and
legal requirements of the Joint P anning Board. He commented that the Councils would consider
the recommendations and feedb.ck of the board with each city having an opportunity to weigh in
on the discussion. City Attorney Heine commented on the statutory authority, agreements and
establishment of governing boar•s. Staff commented that they will continue to work on the
structure of the Joint Planning B•and and bring options back for the Councils to consider.
Council Member Allendorf com ma ented that a developer could look at the parcels as a master
development. Ms. Wischnack c•mmented that developers are looking at smaller properties, 5-7
acres but staff will look at reco a a ecting with developers for their feedback.
Council Member Kuznia comm;nted that the structure of the Joint Planning Board should
operate like the Planning Com•• ssion. Recommendations are brought back to the Councils and
each City Council would make 'i e final decision.
Council Member Gadd comme• ed that it is important that the Joint board focus on the vision for
the area yet not push out what is existing. Ms. Elverum commented that the Joint board would
focus on the area to make it a c• a esive district.
Council Member Campbell co m••ented on the importance of sustainable uses in the area with ..
possible incentives for storm w.ter management.
Council Member Halverson commented that it is important that both Councils have the same
vision for the area and that the Joint Board should strive for continuity in uses for the area.
Council Member Halverson would like to consider higher minimums for the FAR closer to the
station area. Staff will continue to investigate what other cities have done regarding minimums
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JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016
for height and density as well as maximum height limits.
There was discussion regarding setting standards for the developer process and assigning a
higher FAR for different types of uses. Staff will continue to look at uses and FAR to assist the
developer process and share the existing use map so Council has clear vision of uses and
nonconforming uses.
Council Member Wiersum commented that a mechanism is needed for nonconforming uses and
that height constraints are needed.
City Manager Barone commented that the City of Minnetonka is looking at a Public Works
addition and will be asking the Hopkins Council to consider a property annexation. The City of
Minnetonka will process all the documentation and handle the legalities.
The Work Session adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Vold
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