Minnetonka approves zoning changes to allow temporary uses.
The Minnetonka City Council unanimously approved four items on June 6, including an ordinance that gives city staff more flexibility to approve temporary land uses. The changes aim to help the city adapt to unforeseen needs, like a school's temporary building, without going through lengthy approval processes.
All four items passed 5-0 without dissent. The most significant was an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance that addresses interim uses—temporary land uses that expire after a set period. The change grants city staff clearer authority to determine what counts as a "similar use," broadens standards for interim uses, and allows uses normally requiring permanent approval to be granted temporarily instead.
Staff explained the amendment will not affect existing interim uses already approved by the city. Instead, it provides a tool for future flexibility. "While we as planners like to think we know a lot about land use, sometimes somebody comes up with something that is really interesting that we just simply haven't thought of," said a city planner. "This allows us to allow them to contemplate something that otherwise we might just have to say no to."
The council also approved two residential subdivisions. The Tammy Edition project at 15503 Robinwood Drive will divide a 2-acre parcel into two lots. The applicant, who currently lives on Robinwood Drive, expressed hope that new families would move into the close-knit neighborhood. The Hidden Valley Road Third Edition subdivision at 16515 Hidden Valley Road will similarly create two lots on a 1.4-acre vacant site, involving flood plain alteration and easement vacation. Both projects met all city standards, including tree protection requirements.
During discussion of the Hidden Valley Road project, a city planner clarified the city's policy on shared driveways. While they reduce impervious surface and benefit the environment, the city generally discourages them unless necessary for natural resource reasons. "Down the road, 10, 15 years, the second owner, the third owner, there are a lot of disagreements and misunderstandings about what the legal document actually says," the planner noted.
The council also unanimously approved a sign plan for Veil, formerly known as Marsh Run 2, at 11816 YZA Boulevard. All items were approved without public opposition or commissioner discussion.
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Votes (4)
Sign Plan for Veil, formerly Marsh Run 2 at 11816 YZA Boulevard (Item 7A)
Moved by Commissioner Minion [0:11:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Banks [0:11:03]
The item was presented as a routine consent agenda item. No discussion or separate vote was requested by commissioners or the public, leading to a quick approval.
Preliminary and Final Plat of Tammy Edition, a two-lot subdivision at 15503 Robinwood Drive (Item 8A)
Moved by Commissioner Waterman [0:18:28] · Seconded by Commissioner Hansen [0:18:31]
Staff presented a 2-acre parcel to be divided into two lots. The proposal met all subdivision ordinance standards (lot area, buildable area, dimensions) and the tree protection ordinance, removing only 5 high priority trees and no significant trees. The property owner spoke briefly, confirming the former home's demolition and expressing hope for new families. No public comments were made. Commissioners praised the straightforward nature of the subdivision and minimal tree impact.
Hidden Valley Road Third Edition, a two-lot subdivision at 16515 Hidden Valley Road, with flood plane alteration and easement vacation (Item 8B)
Moved by Commissioner Banks [0:33:55] · Seconded by Commissioner Waterman [0:33:58]
Staff described the 1.4-acre vacant site's proposed subdivision into two lots, involving flood plain alteration and easement vacation. Key considerations included relocating an existing water line to maintain service for a neighbor and ensuring tree removal (9 high priority, 2 significant) remained within ordinance thresholds. A public comment regarding construction parking and stockpiling was addressed by staff, explaining the use of construction management plans. An engineer representing the applicant confirmed the possibility of on-site parking for construction vehicles. Commissioners supported the clean subdivision and appreciated the staff's detailed review. A question about shared driveways, stemming from a public comment, led to staff explaining the city's policy of generally discouraging them unless there's a specific natural resource reason, due to long-term ownership disputes.
Ordinance Amending Several Sections of the Zoning Ordinance Pertaining to Interim Uses (Item 8C)
Moved by Commissioner Minion [0:52:16] · Seconded by Commissioner Waterman [0:52:18]
Staff provided a refresher on interim vs. conditional uses, explaining interim uses are temporary and expire. The proposed amendment addresses current ordinance limitations that don't allow for reasonable temporary uses (e.g., a school's temporary building). Three key changes were outlined: granting staff authority to determine similar uses, broadening general interim use standards, and allowing conditional uses (or similar) to be approved as interim uses. The aim is to increase city flexibility without changing the approval process. Questions from commissioners focused on the impact on existing uses, staff's proactivity in tracking expirations, and examples of conditional uses becoming interim. Staff confirmed existing uses are unaffected, the burden for tracking expiry is ultimately on the owner, and the amendment provides a tool for temporary approvals of uses otherwise slated for permanent conditional status. No public comments were received.
Notable Quotes (6)
It's a beautiful lot. Uh it's going to make a nice uh home for people on Robinwood uh Drive. It's a very close-knit neighborhood there. Um and um if some families can move in there, I'd be great.
Looks like the city has again done a great job of the planning and making sure that all the codes are met. Uh this one was a little closer to take a few more trees, but uh it still met the thresholds.
The applicant is proposing to remove uh third 11 trees, excuse me. There are currently 36 protected trees protected by a tree protection ordinance. Um, of those 11, nine are high priority. So that's 34% whereas our code allows up to 35%. Um, and the other is significant. two significant trees which is actually 25%... Whereas the maximum is 50%, so again they are under that threshold. This proposal will meet the tree protection ordinance.
shared driveways certainly from a natural resources perspective are are a good thing in that they they do minimize uh imperous surface. The flip side of that is uh we don't require shared driveways if there's not a natural resource um issue like a wetland in the way, a flood plane in the way. But what we often find is that down the road, 10, 15 years, the second owner, the third owner, there are a lot of disagreements and a lot of misunderstandings about what the legal document actually says and who's responsible for what and who pays for what.
this change will not impact existing interim uses. They can still operate under the resolutions that they were approved under... From our perspective, um this is only a a good change in that, um while we as planners like to think we know a lot about land use, sometimes somebody comes up with something that is really uh interesting um that we just simply haven't thought of. And I think this um allows us to allow them to contemplate something that otherwise we might just have to say no to.
So what this standard says is we will allow as interim something that's already allowed as conditional or a similar use. So kind of opens up that conditional use permit list for temporary uses if that makes sense.
Ordinances & Resolutions (23)
The local government body holding the meeting.
The higher governing body to which the Planning Commission makes recommendations and to whom appeals are directed.
City document that the Planning Commission makes recommendations on amendments to.
City regulation that the Planning Commission makes recommendations on amendments to, and which is being amended in Item 8C.
City regulations that the Planning Commission makes recommendations on amendments to, and against which subdivision proposals are reviewed.
A permit for uses allowed only if they meet specific standards and are approved by the council; one type of permit reviewed by the commission.
An ordinance governing temporary uses, subject to discussion and amendment in Item 8C.
A plan on which the Planning Commission makes final decisions.
A request for a sign plan on which the Planning Commission makes final decisions.
A request for a variance on which the Planning Commission makes final decisions.
A permit on which the Planning Commission makes final decisions.
A previously approved project discussed in the staff report.
The specific sign plan approved under Item 7A.
Official document used for approving items like sign plans and plats.
The proposed two-lot subdivision plan for 15503 Robinwood Drive (Item 8A).
Staff report referenced for the Tammy Edition subdivision.
City ordinance governing the removal and protection of trees on development sites.
The proposed two-lot subdivision plan for 16515 Hidden Valley Road (Item 8B).
Proposed change to flood plane boundaries and volume on a property (Item 8B).
Proposed removal and re-establishment of property easements (Item 8B).
Permit issued for the removal of existing structures on the Hidden Valley Road property.
Required plan detailing construction logistics, including parking and stockpiling, at the time of building permit application.
Permit required for construction, which triggers review of Construction Management Plans.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Residential Subdivisions and Land Use Development
Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Interim Uses
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