Land Use and Development Issues
Housing and Residential
Neighborhood Issues
Land Use and Development Issues
Overall Pattern
The land use pattern of Hopkins has evolved over the last century and is now well established. Redevelopment is ongoing in some sectors, especially in the Downtown and industrial areas. Examples include the recent construction of downtown attractions such as the movie theaters and the Center for the Arts. Recent industrial redevelopment includes the former Hennepin County Public Works garage, which is now the home of a new SuperValu distribution center. Only a few undeveloped parcels of land presently exist. Underdevelopment of sites and more particularly, inappropriate use of land are the major issues now confronting the community.
Residential Neighborhoods
Perhaps Hopkins' greatest asset is its neighborhoods of single-family homes, which accommodate a mixture of young singles, young families, mature families, and elderly couples and singles. These neighborhoods give Hopkins its character and cohesiveness. However, acceptance of some of the smaller, post-war homes may wane as time goes by and long-time residents move out. Protecting these neighborhoods from inappropriate development and the effects of aging and evolution as well as preserving a strong social fabric will continue to be major challenges for the community. In the future, redevelopment may threaten existing single-family homes. The City needs to consider means to restrict the loss of single-family housing.
Downtown Hopkins
The Downtown has changed over the years from an important and vibrant retail center to one that serves local convenience needs and certain specialty market niches. The dynamics of consumer marketing and the transportation network have caused such shifts in many older central shopping areas. Downtown Hopkins still, however, possesses a special character. The character of the area can be used to help reposition it to respond to contemporary market challenges and opportunities but not without the combination of private and public efforts.
There has been considerable public investment and interest in Downtown in the recent past, and that trend is continuing. Without question, Downtown Hopkins is one of a half dozen or so recognizable central community shopping areas in the Metropolitan Area. It is an asset worth protecting. The community recognizes the importance of the Downtown and has a strong positive emotional response to the location.
Industrial and Commercial Areas
Hopkins has long been an important center of employment and commerce in the western suburbs as a result of its streetcar, highway, and railroad service. Industrial development and redevelopment continue to be important to the community for purposes of tax base and employment. The City has invested staff time and financial resources to leverage private investment and is committed to an ongoing effort of business recruitment and development.
Excelsior Boulevard has always been an important roadway in Hopkins because it serves as a local access for commercial, industrial and residential neighborhood areas. Over the past few years, the City has been working with Hennepin County to reconstruct Excelsior Boulevard to improve both its function and aesthetics. Phase one from Shady Oak Road to 8th Avenue was completed in 1999. The remainder of the roadway is scheduled for upgrading in concurrent phases. The City should continue to aggressively pursue the reconstruction of to complete the project from the Minnetonka border to the St. Louis Park border.
Natural Protection Areas
There are two locations of special natural significance in Hopkins: Nine-Mile Creek and Minnehaha Creek. Each is protected by the rules and regulations of a Watershed District and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition, the City of Hopkins has approved zoning regulations to complement the efforts of those non-municipal agencies. The Nine-Mile Creek basin in southeast Hopkins is being protected for purposes of flood protection, wildlife protection, agriculture, natural beauty, and passive recreation. The Minnehaha Creek basin does not include agriculture but does include active recreation such as canoeing.
Other natural areas include Meadowbrook and Oak Ridge golf courses, Central Park, and the Blake School athletic fields.
Housing and Residential Neighborhood Issues
- Through the course of the City's growth, several small neighborhoods were created, each with a distinct character. A number of neighborhoods today are separated from one another by non-residential uses, roads, etc. Is the integrity and attractiveness of the residential neighborhoods being adequately maintained? Is the single-family character of these neighborhoods being sufficiently protected?
- Should Downtown growth be allowed to encroach into adjacent residential neighborhoods if it makes for a stronger central business district? Are there some locations where such encroachment would be acceptable?
- Are housing maintenance regulations properly enforced?
- Should commercial development be allowed along Highway 7?
- Should or can the City increase its financial role in maintaining housing quality?
- Are single-family homes adequately protected from redevelopment pressures?
- Making the zoning ordinance flexible enough to allow homeowners on small lots to initiate improvements providing such improvements are not detrimental to the surrounding neighborhood.
- Should the area included in the Downtown be enlarged?
- How should downtown fringe areas be redeveloped?
- Is there a commitment by the City to continue to utilize public resources where warranted in order to support appropriate redevelopment efforts?
- Can additional attached housing be allowed in limited locations on the perimeter of Downtown Hopkins while protecting the integrity of nearby single-family housing?
- What should be the role of the City in protecting housing, which abuts or views industrial or commercial development?
- Along Excelsior Boulevard
- Around the Downtown
- Near industrial areas south of Excelsior Boulevard
- Near industrial areas northeast of Excelsior Boulevard and Highway 169.
- What should be the role of the City in promoting commercial and/or industrial development and redevelopment, especially along Excelsior Boulevard, east of TH 169?
- How can the City improve the appearance of its existing industrial areas, especially along Excelsior Boulevard?
- Is there a need to increase the amount of industrial land? If so, are there any such locations that would not have a negative impact on nearby housing quality?
- How can the City take advantage of a possible future light rail transit station?
Overall Community Structure Issues
- How will the community maintain its family-oriented, small-town single-family-housing character and image as the bulk of the housing that forms this character ages and/or becomes less attractive in the market?
- How will the City adequately protect the character of existing single-family neighborhoods?
- Should the closed landfill site in southwestern Hopkins be used as a public park?
