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Politics & Government

Zoning and Planning Commission OKs Mixed-use Ordinance

While light rail transit is the main cause for the adopting of this first-time-ever ordinance, it will apply throughout all of Hopkins

The long-discussed mixed-use ordinance for the City of Hopkins took a big step forward when the Zoning and Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to adopt the measure.

If approved by the City Council, the new ordinance gives the city authority to grant mixed use throughout the city if deemed appropriate. However, the issue has been driven by the pending arrival of the Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor (SWLRT), expected in the next five years. Once in place, the light rail system will be a magnet for new business and residential development along its route.

Mixed-use developments, like Cornerstone Marketplace Lofts on Mainstreet in Hopkins, and the Excelsior Grand area in St. Louis Park allow local governments to blend commercial and residential into the same zone, and have become a popular way to create livelier streets. 

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Mixed-use buildings typically have street level retail, such as shops and restaurants,  while the upper stories contain private condominiums.

“We’ve been working on this for over a year,” reported City Planner Nancy Anderson. “We showed our draft to other nearby cities which already have mixed use in place and got back some very favorable responses to what we had drafted.”

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This is the first time mixed-use has ever existed in Hopkins. Anderson said while it gives the city a lot of latitude in future planning, it does come with challenges.

“We will periodically have to make tough decisions. However, its does allow for flexibility and amendments.”

The ordinance applies to the entire city, not just the immediate areas around the three proposed light rail transit stations.

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