Stover_Greg and Peggy_Vacate 11th Street Property_,
l 0-08-08
City of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA 52001
From:
Fannie Stout House LLC
Greg And Peggy Stover
Concerning:
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00 OCT -9 P~1 3~ 31
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Vacating a piece of land owned by the City of Dubuque, and located at the base of the
retaining wall located at 11 m Street.
We would request that the City of Dubuque consider vacating a piece of land
approximately 50' deep, and an undetermined depth in order that we might put off street
pazking for 8 cars on that land.
The land is comprised of the lot that contains the Library pazking lot at 11~' Street. It
extends up the hill to the base of the lazge retaining wall that the City is currently
rebuilding due to a collapse. The overall depth is about 150'.
I first approached the Assessor, the Planning and Zoning staff, and the Engineering office
with this concept before writing this letter. At this point, they aze supportive of our idea,
which is described as follows:
1. According to Bob Schiesl, the City needs to retain about 15' access adjacent to
the wall for future repairs. Accordingly, we are suggesting that the City
determine what that amount is, and execute that line in a N-S fashion across the
wooded lot. We need about 50' moving in an Easterly direction towazd the
current Library lot for our purpose. The result would be a 50' wide piece of land
sectioned out between the Library lot, and the buffer zone neaz the wall. This
would also leave a buffer zone between our proposed lot, and the current library
lot, which is wooded. Guy Hemmingway of Planning and Zoning visited the site
with me, and commented that it would not be detrimental to any adjacent property
owner due to the layout.
2. Our use for the lot is predicated on our intention to open our B&B and Meeting
and Event center located at 1145 Locust. Our intent is to create off-street pazking
for our personal vehicles, and for guests of the B&B. We only want to create one
row of parking due to cost.
3. We believe the land has no current value, and cannot be appraised and sold as if it
were an existing pazking lot. The steep street would preclude many people from
using it. We feel that due to the type of customer we would attract at a B&B, that
we can sell the idea of the parking as an enhancement of the azea in a historical
context. We may have to provide valet parking.
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4. The City would stand to benefit in the short run, and the long run. In the short
run, we would have a site plan done by Buesing, and would work with City
Engineering to come up with a plan that provides for utility for both parties.
Right now the City does not have access to the base of the wall due to washout,
trees, rocks, etc. We would clean up that azea, build a retaining wall down the hill
to hold up our pazking azea, and backfill. Our intent is to pazk cazs facing East,
along the lower edge of the lot. In that case, they would back up towazd the wall
in order to pull out onto 11~' Street. This would give good access to the wall for
future maintenance and repair. The City would also benefit due to placing the
property back on the tax rolls, and by eliminating some of the pazking load on
adjacent streets.
5. We have an interest in making this look historic in context, which would add to
the attractiveness of the existing wall and steps. Depending on finances, we
might consider an enclosed structure at some point.
6. This project would have to be done in a manner to keep costs to a minimum.
There is already parking available on the street, or in adjacent lots, so it is not
possible to recoup large expenses in order to provide more secure parking. The
costs would have to be absorbed into the cost of doing business, and must be kept
as low as possible.
7. My wife and I have made a huge investment in both time and money restoring
buildings in Dubuque. We fix things properly. The City should be confident that
anything we do at that location will also be done properly.
Sincerely,
Greg and Peggy Stover
1145 Locust
580-9996
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