Minutes_Zoning Board of Adjustment 10.27.22Copyrighted
November 21, 2022
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 01.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 11/07/22; Library Board of Trustees of
9/19/22, 9/20/22, 9/22/22; Zoning Board of Adjustment of 10/27/22.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 11/07/22 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 9/19/22
Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 9/20/22
Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 9/22/22
Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 10/27/22
Supporting Documentation
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 27, 2022
City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
Board Members Present: Chairperson Jonathan McCoy, Board Members Keith
Ahlvin, Bethany Golombeski, and Matt Mauss.
Board Members Excused: Gwen Kosel
Board Members Unexcused: None
Staff Members Present: Shena Moon, Travis Schrobilgen and Jason Duba
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson McCoy at 5:32 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Mauss, seconded by Ahlvin, to approve the minutes of the
September 22, 2022 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting as submitted. Motion carried
by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Mauss and McCoy; Nay — None; Abstain —
Golombeski.
DOCKET — 40-22: Application of James & Cynthia Riedl, 2508 Pennsylvania Avenue to
construct an accessory structure 3' from the side property line where 6' is required and to
allow 1,086 square feet of accessory structures where 1,000 square feet maximum is
permitted in an R-1 Single -Family Residential zoning district.
James Riedl, 2508 Pennsylvania Avenue, spoke in favor of the request. He explained
that he's hoping to build a wood shop/storage building. After getting a Special Exception
approved last month, his contractor suggested building it a little bigger, which would take
the total area of accessory structures to 1,086 square feet.
There was no public input.
Board members viewed the plans for the accessory structure that Mr. Riedl provided.
Staff Member Duba detailed the staff report noting characteristics of the property and the
surrounding neighborhood, including numerous detached sheds and garages. He
described the proposed shed and noted the smaller existing shed would remain on the
property, bringing the total area of accessory structures to 1,086 square feet. He
explained that there would be little impact to surrounding properties, and visibility would
not be blocked.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 27, 2022 Page 2
The Board sought to clarify that the difference with this application is that it's marginally
larger. They also received clarification from Mr. Riedl that the previously approved
condition to provide a hard -surfaced driveway if the structure were regularly used for
vehicle storage.
Motion by Mauss, seconded by Ahlvin, to approve the request with the following condition:
1. A hard -surfaced driveway would be required if the structure were regularly used
for vehicle storage.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Golombeski, Mauss and McCoy; Nay
— None.
DOCKET — 41-22: Application of Douglas Schlarman, 1020 & 1022 Bluff Street to construct
an 8' x 36' deck 2' from the side property line where 3' is required and to cover 71 % of the
lots with structures where 50% maximum coverage is permitted and to have 0%
greenspace where 20% minimum is required in an OR Office Residential zoning district.
Douglas Schlarman, 1020 Bluff Street, spoke in favor of the request. He explained that they
went through historic review and got approval for the metal railing. He noted there's a small
porch on 1022 Bluff that's being removed. He explained that since he owns both houses,
they decided to have a deck that spans across both units for tenants to enjoy the
neighborhood.
There was no public input at the meeting.
Staff Member Schrobilgen detailed the staff report noting the exceptions for setback, lot
coverage, and green space. He explained that the existing structures are legally non-
conforming. He stated that the removal of the green space is for a parking space, that this
area is heavily developed with regard to the lack of green space, and that the deck would
offset the green space as outdoor activity space. He noted the rear yard setback being at
least 11.5' from the deck. He also reiterated that the properties are within the Jackson Park
Historic District and that most exterior work requires historic review and that the deck was
approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. He concluded, noting staff received
one public comment call that asked for clarification on whether the proposed deck would
impede on the 10' wide alley. They were neither in support or opposed to the project.
The Board asked for clarification on what the intended surface would be for the parking
space and asked whether it was a green alley. Mr. Schlarman replied that he intends to
pour concrete for the parking space and that a green alley is planned by the City, but it is
not currently. Staff member Schrobilgen stated that any parking spaces would require a
hard surface.
Motion by Ahlvin, seconded by Mauss, to approve the request with the following condition:
1. The deck remain of an open design.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Golombeski, Mauss and McCoy; Nay
— None.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 27, 2022 Page 3
DOCKET — 42-22: Application of Debbie Roth, 857 Berkley Place to construct a 10' x 16'
deck 8' from the front property line where 20' minimum is permitted in an R-1 Single -Family
Residential zoning district.
Mike Arensdorf, contractor, spoke in favor of the request. He noted that the old stoop was
falling apart. He explained that he thought they had a building permit, so he started
construction of the larger deck.
Michelle Jaeger, 2725 Oak Crest, neighbor, spoke in favor of the request stating she had
no objections to the deck and that Debbie is a great neighbor.
Staff Member Moon detailed the staff report noting that some construction has been
started, that the deck encroaches into the front yard setback, and that it's 8' from the front
property line and 17' from sidewalk. She noted that it is a front deck is consistent with
other properties in the neighborhood. They received one call supporting the request.
The Board asked if an open design was an acceptable condition, and Mr. Arensdorf
replied yes.
Motion by Golombeski, seconded by Mauss, to approve the request with the following
condition:
1. The deck remain of an open design.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Golombeski, Mauss and McCoy; Nay
— None.
DOCKET — 43-22: Application of Raechelle Ahmed, 1599 Washington Street to install a
7' in height privacy fence in the front yard (along 16' Street) where 4' in height maximum
is permitted in the front yard in an R-2A Alternate Two -Family Residential zoning district.
Robert McDonald, 2070 Coates Street, spoke in favor of the request. He explained that
they are hoping to put a privacy fence between the garage and the house.
There was no public input.
Staff Member Duba detailed the staff report noting that the property is a corner lot and
that the house fronts on Washington Street. He said the fence will be along the 16t" street
front property line which is why it needs Board approval. He described the characteristics
of the property and the neighborhood, noting that there are other houses with detached
garages and fences nearby. He noted that visibility between drivers should be adequate
but that the fence could impede visibility of pedestrians passing on the sidewalk.
The Board asked about cutting the fence at an angle for visibility of pedestrians, and Mr.
McDonald stated that they could put it at a 45-degree angle from the garage to the
sidewalk.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 27, 2022 Page 4
The Board also asked about the finish of the fence, and Mr. McDonald replied that it would
be whitewashed. He also stated that he would install a neighbor -friendly fence.
Motion by McCoy, seconded by Mauss, to approve the request with the following
conditions:
1. That the fence run at a 45-degree angle from the exiting garage to the front
property line.
2. That the fence be neighbor -friendly with the horizontal structural beams facing the
interior of the subject property.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Golombeski, Mauss and McCoy; Nay
— None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM BOARD: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: Associate Planner Moon introduced new Planning Technician
Matt O'Brien.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by McCoy, seconded by Ahlvin, to adjourn the October 27,
2022, Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —
Ahlvin, Golombeski, Kosel, Mauss and McCoy; Nay — None
The meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shen oon, Associate Planner
Adopted