Minutes_Zoning Advisory Commission 07.06.22Copyrighted
July 18, 2022
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 01.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council proceedings of 07/05/22; Arts and Cultural Affairs
Commission of 4/26/22 and 5/24/22; Equity and Human Rights
Commission of 5/9/22; Historic Preservation Commission of 6/16/22;
Zoning Advisory Commission of 7/6/22; Zoning Board of Adjustment of
6/23/22; Proof of publication for City Council proceedings of 6/20/22 and
6/27/22.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
/_1if_Td:I�,I=1kihI'S
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 07/05/22 Supporting Documentation
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Minutes of Supporting Documentation
4/26/22
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Minutes of
Supporting Documentation
5/24/22
Equity and Human Rights Commission Minutes of
Supporting Documentation
5/9/22
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 6/16/22
Supporting Documentation
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 7/6/22
Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 6/23/22
Supporting Documentation
Proof of publication for City Council proceedings of
Supporting Documentation
6/20/22
Proof of publication for City Council proceedings of
Supporting Documentation
6/27/22
Dubuque
THE CITY OF 10mig
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2.17 2012-2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
MINUTES
ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Matt Mulligan; Commission Members Martha
Christ, Pat Norton, Rich Russell and Teri Zuccaro
Commissioners Excused: Becky Kemp
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Wally Wernimont, Shena Moon and Travis Schrobilgen
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mulligan at 6:00
p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Zuccaro, seconded by Norton, to approve the minutes of the June
1, 2022 meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Norton, Russell, and
Zuccaro; Nay — none; Abstain — Mulligan
Pat Norton recused himself from the next three items.
ACTION ITEM/PLAT OF SURVEY: Application of Kristin and Steve Vaassen to approve
the Plat of Survey of Annabel Lee Barn Lot.
Kristin and Steve Vaassen, 2319 Manson Road, spoke in favor of the request. Steve and
Kristin went through a PowerPoint "picture walk" which showed the barn layout and
discussed its layout and the property's history. They noted they would like the barn on its
own lot for utility billing, estate planning, and safety purposes as first responders do not
know whether to arrive at the barn or the house further down the lane.
Rob Koelker, Buesing Associates, 1212 Locust Street, spoke in favor of the request
noting that Lot 1 would contain the barn structure and Lot 2 would contain everything else
on the property including existing house.
There was no public input for this item.
Staff Member Moon detailed the staff report, providing a history of the subject property as
a mobile home park and outlining the timeline of when the existing single-family
residence, pump house and barn -style accessory structure were developed on the site.
She outlined the previous Zoning Board of Adjustment approvals that allowed for the
Minutes — Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
July 6, 2022 Page 2
barn -style accessory structure construction. She further explained that the barn -style
accessory structure is currently considered an accessory structure per the code, but the
proposed plat would allow the structure, which was built to residential code standards, to
function as a single-family residence. She further detailed the existing property layout
and the surrounding zoning and development. Staff Member Moon provided an overview
of the submitted Plat of Survey of Annabel Lee Barn Lot, noting the plat meets all other
bulk regulations aside from the requested waiver of the required 50 feet of frontage along
a public or private street. She noted that access to the lot would be via an existing
easement and private lane that is shared with their nearest neighbor. She further noted
that the proposed lot would be allowed to be used for short-term rentals per the Iowa
Code 414.1.
Commissioner Christ asked if public events could be held at the property. Staff Member
Moon noted that pursuant to Iowa Code for short-term rentals, no retail, restaurant,
banquet space, event center or other similar use would be permitted, and that the property
would be regulated as a single-family residential use.
Motion by Christ, seconded by Zuccaro, to recommend approval of the Plat of Survey of
Annabel Lee Barn Lot as submitted waiving the street frontage requirement for Lot 1.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Russell, Zuccaro, and Mulligan; Nay
— none.
ACTION ITEM/PLAT OF SURVEY: Application of Buesing & Associates to approve the
Plat of Survey of Y-Camp Place No. 2, PIN 1010327021.
Staff Member Moon noted that the applicant is actively working with the City regarding
access easements to this property and as such is requesting the item be tabled to the
August 3, 2022 meeting.
Motion by Russell, seconded by Zuccaro, to table the application to the next regularly
scheduled meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Russell, Zuccaro,
and Mulligan; Nay — none.
PUBLIC HEARING/REZONING: Application of Kayla Hopson, Grand River Medical
Group to amend the Westmark Planned Unit Development to allow internally illuminated
secondary signs for property located at the Westmark Corporate Center.
Pat Norton, Buesing and Associates, 1212 Locust Street, spoke on behalf of the
applicant. He said that the primary reason for the request was to be able to provide highly
visible wayfinding for patrons, primarily during the winter months when it gets darker
earlier. He stated that he did not know why the Planned Unit Development (PUD)
restricted illumination for Secondary Signs. He further stated that the applicant is seeking
to modify the PUD to allow for internally illuminated signage.
There was no public input for this item.
Staff Member Moon detailed the staff report noting that the proposed amendment would
allow illuminated signage throughout the PUD and that the request was coming
Minutes — Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
July 6, 2022 Page 3
specifically from the developers for the Grand River Medical Group. She provided an
overview of the PUD area and noted there are multiple tenants within the area. She
outlined that secondary signs are intended to provide directional signage for safe and
efficient flow of traffic, identification of entrances and identification of parking and
handicapped spaces. She outlined the proposed secondary signage specifically for the
Grand River Medical Group and noted they desire to have the signage lit during the
evening hours especially in the shorter winter months.
Chair Mulligan referred to a memo included in the packet. Staff Member Moon clarified
the memo summarizes a phone call from a neighboring resident who stated they were
generally in opposition to the project along with the construction along the Northwest
Arterial.
Commissioner Russell questioned how many signs would be impacted. Staff Member
Moon clarified that it would be two signs for the Grand River Medical Group property
however the PUD does not limit the number of Secondary Signs and other properties
within the PUD area could choose to install illuminated signs in the future.
Commissioner Zuccaro asked for clarification on the difference between primary signs
and secondary signs and asked about hours of operation to understand why they would
need to be lit at night. Mr. Norton clarified he wasn't sure on the hours of operation but
the intend was more for the winter when it gets dark around 4:30/5pm. He didn't believe
the offices or pharmacy would be open beyond 6pm generally and the signs aren't
intended to be lit 24 hours. Staff Member Moon clarified that primary signs are generally
wall mounted or building mounted and that secondary signs are usually more for
wayfinding. She also clarified that Secondary Signs have the same intent as Directional
Signs allowed within the Unified Development Code and that the Directional Signs are
allowed to be illuminated in our code.
Chairperson Mulligan noted that internally illuminated signs are a good solution and that
externally illuminated signage may cause more issues or concerns for neighbors.
Motion by Christ, seconded by Zuccaro, to approve the PUD amendment at submitted to
allow internally illuminated Secondary Signs. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —
Christ, Russell, Zuccaro, and Mulligan; Nay — none.
Commissioner Norton returned to the meeting.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Planning Services Manager Wally Wernimont stated that the election positions include
the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary.
Minutes — Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
July 6, 2022 Page 4
Chairperson Mulligan brought up a situation in which his role as Chair prompted excess
scrutiny of the Commission and their duties. Commissioner Norton disagreed and noted
that he felt offended by the comment as it brought into question the integrity of the entire
Commission. He mentioned that he has heard similar scrutiny as he is often required to
recuse himself due to potential conflicts of interest.
The Commission discussed election of officers.
Motion by Zuccaro, seconded by Christ, to elect Commissioner Mulligan as Chairperson.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Norton, Russell, and Zuccaro; Nay —
non; Abstain — Mulligan.
Motion by Mulligan, seconded by Christ, to elect Commissioner Russell as Vice
Chairperson. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Norton, Zuccaro and
Mulligan; Nay — none; Abstain — Russell.
Motion by Zuccaro, seconded by Christ, to elect Commissioner Norton as Secretary.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Russell, Zuccaro and Mulligan; Nay —
none; Abstain — Norton.
Planning Services Manager Wally Wernimont discussed conflict of interest making note
that there are instances in which Commission members may need to step away to be on
the applicant side and that this is not uncommon. We would not deem this a conflict of
interest. If a Commission Member were to stay in their seat and vote on their own items
or items in which they or their company are actively involved, this would be a conflict of
interest. Mr. Wernimont stated that Planning Services Staff and the City's Legal Staff are
always available to provide clarification or direction should a Commissioner have any
questions regarding conflicts of interest.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Russell, seconded by Mulligan to adjourn the July 6, 2022
Commission meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Norton,
Russell, Zuccaro, and Mulligan; Nay — none.
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shena n, Associate Planner Adopted