Zoning & Planning Commission Minutes

August 26, 2008

A regular meeting of the Hopkins Zoning and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Hopkins City Hall.

Present were Commission Members Tom Jenny, Patrick Beddor, Kyle Skiermont, Linda Flynn and Bob Hatlestad. Commissioners Kate Reilly and Kathy Newcomb were absent.

Also present were staff members Nancy Anderson and Kersten Elverum.

City Attorney Jerry Steiner was also present.

Call to Order

Mr. Skiermont called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Beddor moved and Mr. Hatlestad seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the July 29, 2008, regular meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.

Item: ZN08-2 Ordinance Amendment – Animal Day Care

Ms. Anderson reviewed the proposed amendment with the Commission.

The public hearing was opened at 6:32 p.m. No one appeared at the public hearing. Mr. Hatlestad moved and Ms. Flynn seconded a motion to close the public hearing. The motion was approved unanimously. The public hearing was closed at 6:33 p.m.

Mr. Beddor moved and Mr. Hatlestad seconded a motion to adopt Resolution RZ08-5, recommending approval of an ordinance amendment to allow animal day care within the B-3 zoning district.

Mr. Beddor left at this time.

Item: Discussion Japs-Olson Parking

Ms. Anderson presented the background of the parking issue for Japs-Olson.

Ms. Elverum reviewed the tax implications of a parking lot vs. a building on the property and the discussions with St. Louis Park staff.

Bob Murphy, representing Japs-Olson, appeared before the Commission. Mr. Murphy stated that in 1997 they moved from north Minneapolis. He gave the history of growth for the company and stated that they now need additional space.

Morris Sherman, the Japs-Olson, attorney appeared before the Commission. Mr. Sherman discussed the benefits to the City of Hopkins from having Japs-Olson remain at its current location with the construction of a parking lot on the Kunz Oil property.

The Commission gave the following comments:

  • Bob Hatlestad:
    Would like to find a mutually beneficial agreement for all three parties. See something happen that works for everyone. There is an opportunity cost for a parking lot and he would like to see greater compensation than the 2/3 -1/3 split with St. Louis Park
  • Tom Jenny:
    Understand your position. Hope to figure out a way to make it work
  • Linda Flynn:
    Tax revenue is something to think about – need to speak to St. Louis Park – Hopkins has had success in waiting for what we want.
  • Kyle Skiermont:
    We spent many hours on the Comp Plan, and there are so few sites to redevelop and no one mentioned a parking lot for seven acres. People want to see more Opus-type development. Higher hopes for that land other than a parking lot

Mr. Hatlestad volunteered to present the report to the City Council.

Adjourn

Mr. Skiermont moved and Mr. Hatlestad seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.