Setting a Public Hearing to approve the Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan Amendment 1_InitiateCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Copyrighted
February 5, 2024
Items to be set for Public Hearing #
05.
ITEM TITLE: Setting a Public Hearing to approve the Dubuque Urban Revitalization
Plan Amendment 1
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council set a public hearing on
February 19, 2024, for the Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Amendment 1.
RESOLUTION Setting a public hearing to amend the Dubuque Urban
Revitalization Area Plan
SUGGESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for February
DISPOSITION: 19, 2024Suggested Disposition:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution Setting Hearing and Publication Resolutions
Amended Plan - Redlined Supporting Documentation
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Public Hearing & Approval of Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Amendment 1
DATE: February 1, 2024
Housing & Community Development Director Alexis Steger is recommending City
Council set a public hearing on February 19, 2024, for the Dubuque Urban
Revitalization Plan Amendment 1.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
Rick Dickinson, Greater Dubuque Development President and CEO
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis M. Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
DATE: January 29, 2024
RE: Public Hearing & Approval of Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Amendment 1
Introduction
This memorandum presents information necessary for the February 191", 2024, public
hearing regarding the proposed Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan Amendment 1.
Background
In October 2022, the City Council approved housing incentives, such as the
designation of Urban Revitalization Districts, to increase the number of housing units in
the city. The city is projected to have a housing shortage of over 1,100 units unless the
rate of new housing developments significantly increases. The incentives approved by
the City Council aim to increase the number of available housing units to decrease this
shortage.
The Dubuque Urban Revitalization Area was a consolidation of several urban
revitalization districts in 2019. The area is congruent with the CDBG low/mod area
census tracts and was created/consolidated to incentivize the rehabilitation of housing
in the area. This urban revitalization district does not incentivize new construction but
does incentivize rehabilitation and change of use in existing buildings.
Discussion
The plan is being updated to reflect legislative changes made to the assessment
property type. Multifamily residential is no longer a property type and is being removed
from this plan. The Urban Revitalization Plan allows 100% abatement for up to 10
years for residential rehabilitation and 100% abatement for up to 3 years for
Commercial rehabilitation.
This amendment also updates the plan to remove the sunset after 10 years, as the
legislation no longer requires a sunset for revitalization areas. The area can be
removed at any time the desired amount of rehabilitation in the area has been met.
Iowa legislation changed Iowa Code Chapter 404 since the adoption of the Alta Vista
Urban Revitalization Plan. The changes no longer allow for the 100% abatement of all
property taxes imposed, and instead require the school tax portion be paid on the
entire value of the property. This change decreases the amount of benefit for
rehabilitations completed in this area. Unfortunately, the maximum amount of benefit
allowable in Chapter 404 is already offered in this district, so the city is unable to offset
this decrease in benefit for this area. The change is in effect for all improvements
made in an Urban Revitalization District starting January 1, 2024.
The city will continue to evaluate all urban revitalization districts for expansion, as well
as opportunities to designate new revitalization areas to incentivize housing
development. The city requires an additional 1,100 units over the next five years, and
the incentives provided by urban revitalization tax abatement has helped the city meet
some of this need.
Chapter 404 provides for a public comment period prior to amending an urban
revitalization plan. Therefore, city staff is requesting a public hearing be set for
February 19, 2024, to adopt the amended plan.
Recommendation
I respectfully request the City Council hold a public hearing on February 19, 2024, to
consider the amended plan as provided.
Cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Wally Wernimont, City Planner
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Prepared by Crenna Brumwell 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 583-4113
RESOLUTION NO. 28-24
A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND THE DUBUQUE URBAN
REVITALIZATION AREA PLAN
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that rehabilitation of housing and residential
development, including single or multifamily housing in this location is appropriate and
necessary in the interest of the welfare of the residents of the City, and the property
substantially meets the criteria for Urban Revitalization according to Section 404.1 of the
Code of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to amend the Dubuque Urban Revitalization
Area Plan to add relevant changes made to Iowa Legislation in Chapter 404 of the Code
of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, the Iowa Code requires a public hearing to amend an Urban
Revitalization Area Plan.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The City Clerk is directed to publish notice of a public hearing on the
adoption of an amended Urban Revitalization Plan for the Dubuque Urban Revitalization
Area to be held on February 19th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic Federal Building in
Dubuque, Iowa, 350 W. 6T" Street, Dubuque, Iowa and that said notice shall generally
identify the area covered by the Plan and the general scope of the Urban Revitalization
Plan activities planned for such area.
Passed and approved this 5th day of February, 2024.
Brad M.ICava na� ayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE,
IOWA, ON THE ADOPTION OF AN AMENDED URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR
THE DUBUQUE URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council will conduct a
public hearing on the 19th day of February, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., in the Historic Federal
Building, 350 W. 6th Street, 2nd floor, Dubuque, Iowa, at which meeting the City Council
proposes to take action on the adoption of an amended urban revitalization plan for the
Dubuque Urban Revitalization (the "Plan") under the authority of Chapter 404, Code of
Iowa, as amended.
The property which comprises the revitalization area within which the Plan shall be
applicable consists of only properties located within the Dubuque Urban Revitalization
Area. This area includes all low -mod income census tracts in the downtown, north end
and bluff area.
Chapter 404, Code of Iowa, as amended, and the Plan authorize the City to provide
property tax exemptions for property on which improvements have been made.
At the meeting, the City Council will receive in -person and virtual comments from any
resident or property owner of said City to the above action. The official agenda will be
posted the Friday before the meeting and will contain public input options. The City
Council agenda can be accessed at:
https://cityofdubugue.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/
or by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 563-589-4100, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org. At
said time and place of public hearings all interested citizens and parties will be given an
opportunity to be heard for or against said proposal.
Written comments regarding the above public hearings may be submitted to the City
Clerk's Office via email at ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org or by mail to City Clerk's Office,
City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, before said time of public hearing. At said
time and place of public hearings the City Council will receive any written comments
received by the City Clerk's Office before said time of public hearing.
Copies of supporting documents for the public hearings are on file in the City Clerk's
Office and may be viewed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Individuals with limited English proficiency, vision, hearing, or speech impairments
requiring special assistance should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4100, TDD
(563) 690-6678, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org as soon as feasible. Deaf or hard -of -hearing
individuals can use Relay Iowa by dialing 711 or (800) 735-2942.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 51h day of February 2024.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The following plan describes certain provisions of the Iowa Urban Revitalization Act and
proposes the establishment of the Dubuque Urban Revitalization area.
The State of Iowa, under Iowa Code Chapter 404, allows cities to designate areas as
urban revitalization districts. Under this Act, improvements to qualified areas may receive
a total or partial exemption from property taxes for a specified number of years. The
exemptions are intended to stimulate private investment by the reduction of tax increases
related to property improvements.
Once an area is deemed to meet the requirements established in Chapter 404, a plan
must be established which identifies the district boundaries, property owners, existing
conditions, proposed plans and the basic abatement provisions for the revitalization area.
Iowa Code Chapter 404.1 lists five reasons for which a city or county may establish urban
revitalization plans. These include:
1) The existence of numerous buildings that are dilapidated or deteriorated,
detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of the area.
2) An area challenged by the presence of a substantial number of deteriorated or
deteriorating structures along with other defective or unsafe conditions impairing the
provision of housing.
3) An area in which there is a predominance of buildings or improvements which by
reason of age, history, architecture or significance should be preserved or restored
to productive use.
4) An area which is appropriated as an economic development region as defined in
Iowa Code 403.17;
5) An area designated as appropriate for public improvements related to housing and
residential development, or construction of housing and residential development,
including single or multifamily housing.
The Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan will be based upon an area challenge by the
presence of a deteriorated or deteriorating structures and the need for preservation and
restoration of buildings due to their age, history, and architecture or significance.
2.0 THE AREA
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
2.1 Location
Exhibit A identifies the location of the Revitalization District. The area is generally
composed of the following census block groups:
Tract
1*
GroupCensus
Block
1*
1
2
1
3
11.02
1
11.02
2
3
1
3
2
4
1
4
2
5
1
5
2
5
3
5
4
6
2
7.01
1
7.01
2
7.02
1
7.02
2
7.02
3
7.02
4
*only a portion
The Dubuque Urban Revitalization District boundary is described as:
Beginning at its point of origin at the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Kaufmann
Avenue, then proceeding westerly along Kaufmann Avenue to its intersection with Kane
Street, then proceeding northwesterly along Kane Street to its intersection with Primrose
Street, then proceeding northerly along Primrose Street to its intersection with Burlington
Avenue, then proceeding northwesterly along Burlington Avenue to its intersection with
National Street, then proceeding northeasterly along National Street to its intersection
with Davenport Street, then proceeding northwesterly along Davenport Street to its
intersection with Stoltz Street, then proceeding northeasterly along Stoltz Street to its
intersection with Lemon Street, then proceeding northwesterly along Lemon Street to its
intersection with 32nd Street, then proceeding northeasterly along 32nd Street to its
intersection with Central Avenue/Highway 52, then proceeding northwesterly along
Central Avenue/Highway 52 to its intersection with Aquin Street, then proceeding
northeasterly along Aquin Street to its intersection with Jackson Street, then proceeding
southeasterly along Jackson Street to its intersection with West 32nd Street, then
proceeding northeasterly along West 32nd Street until it becomes Peru Road, then
proceeding northeasterly along Peru Road to its intersection with Sheridan Road, then
proceeding easterly then southerly along Sheridan Road to its intersection with Davis
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
Street, then proceeding easterly along Davis Street to its intersection with Windsor
Avenue, then proceeding southerly along Windsor Avenue to its intersection with
Hennepin Street, then proceeding easterly along Hennepin Street to its intersection with
Stafford Street, then proceeding southerly along Stafford Street to its intersection with
Pleasant Street, then proceeding easterly along Pleasant Street to its intersection with
Viola Street, then proceeding northerly along Viola Street to its intersection with Eagle
Street, then proceeding easterly then southeasterly along Eagle Street to its intersection
with Thomas Place, then proceeding northeasterly along Thomas Place to its
intersection with Ascension Street, then proceeding southeasterly along Ascension
Street to its intersection with Prescott Street, then proceeding northeasterly along
Prescott Street to its intersection with Roosevelt Street, then proceeding southeasterly
along Roosevelt Street to its intersection with Lincoln Avenue, then proceeding
northeasterly then easterly along Lincoln Avenue to its intersection with the Iowa
Chicago and Eastern Railroad right of way, then proceeding southwesterly along the
Iowa Chicago and Eastern Railroad right of way to its intersection with the north property
line of the residential property at 2387 Garfield Avenue, then proceeding southeasterly
along the north property line of the residential property at 2387 Garfield Avenue to its
intersection with Garfield Avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along Garfield Avenue
to its intersection with Hawthorne Street, then proceeding southeasterly along
Hawthorne Street to its intersection with the alley between Garfield Avenue and Kerper
Boulevard, then proceeding southwesterly along the alley between Garfield Avenue and
Kerper Boulevard to its intersection with the north property line of the residential property
at 2675 Kerper Boulevard, then proceeding southeasterly along the north property line of
the residential property at 2675 Kerper Boulevard to its intersection with Kerper
Boulevard, then proceeding southwesterly along Kerper Boulevard to its intersection with
the south property line of the residential property at 2605 Kerper Boulevard, then
proceeding northwesterly along the south property lines of the residential properties at
2605 Kerper Boulevard, 2310 Garfield Avenue and 2336 Garfield Avenue to the
intersection of the Iowa Chicago and Eastern Railroad right-of-way, then proceeding
southwesterly along the Iowa Chicago and Eastern Railroad right-of-way to its
intersection with East 17th Street, then proceeding westerly along East 17th Street to its
intersection with Elm Street, then proceeding southerly along Elm Street to its
intersection with East 14th Street, then proceeding easterly along East 14th Street to its
intersection with the alley between Elm Street and Pine Street, then proceeding
southerly along the alley between Elm Street and Pine Street to its intersection with East
12th Street, then proceeding westerly along East 12th Street to its intersection with the
Elm Street Connector, then proceeding southerly along the Elm Street Connector to its
intersection with East 11th Street, then proceeding westerly along East 11th Street to its
intersection with White Street, then proceeding southerly along White Street to its
intersection with the U.S. Highway 151/61 right-of-way, then proceeding southerly along
the U.S. Highway 151/61 right-of-way to its intersection with West 1st Street, then
proceeding westerly along West 1 st Street to its intersection with Locust Street, then
proceeding southerly along Locust Street to its intersection with Dodge Street, then
proceeding westerly along Dodge Street to its intersection with Grandview Avenue, then
proceeding northerly along Grandview Avenue to its intersection with University Avenue,
then proceeding easterly along University Avenue to its intersection with Walnut Street,
then proceeding northerly along Walnut Street to its intersection with Loras Boulevard,
then proceeding westerly along Loras Boulevard to its intersection with Wood Street,
then proceeding northerly along Wood Street to its intersection with Rosedale Avenue,
then proceeding northeasterly along Rosedale Avenue to its intersection with West
Locust Street, then proceeding easterly along West Locust Street to its intersection with
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
Foye Street, then proceeding northerly along Foye Street to its intersection with
Merchants Lane, then proceeding westerly along Merchants Lane to its intersection with
Gold Street, then proceeding northerly along Gold Street to its intersection with Clarke
Drive, then proceeding easterly then southerly along Clarke Drive to its intersection with
Heeb Street, then proceeding southerly along Heeb Street to its intersection with West
17th Street, then proceeding easterly along West 17th Street to its intersection with
Central Avenue, then proceeding northerly along Central Avenue to its point of origin at
the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Kaufmann Avenue.
2.2 Zoning
Exhibit B shows the existing zoning districts. The following table gives a
breakdown of acreage and % of total area by zoning district:
R-1
Zoning District
Single -Family Residential
Acreage
412
% of Total
Area
22.91%
R-2
Two -Family Residential
230
12.79%
R-2A
Alternate Two -Family Residential
441
24.53%
R-3
Moderate Density Multi -Family Residential
115
6.40%
R-4
Multi -Family Residential
41
2.28%
PR
Planned Residential
30
1.67%
OR
Office Residential
49
2.73%
OC
Office Commercial
10
0.56%
OS
Office Service
20
1.11%
ID
Institutional District
124
6.90%
PC
Planned Commercial
6
0.01%
C-1
Neighborhood Commercial
21
1.17%
C-2
Neighborhood Shopping Center
33
1.84%
C-3
General Commercial
16
0.89%
C-4
Downtown Commercial
120
6.67%
C-5
Central Business
28
1.56%
CS
Commercial Service & Wholesale
5
0.28%
LI
Light Industrial
61
3.39%
HI
Heavy Industrial
5
0.28%
MHI
Modified Heavy Industrial
1
0.00%
AG
Agricultural
5
0.01%
POS
Public Open Space
25
0.06%
2.3 Existing and Proposed Land Use
Exhibit C identifies the existing primary land use for the proposed district. This area
is almost fully developed, and therefore, the existing land use is also the proposed
land use. The vast majority of the land use is single-family, two-family and multi-
family residential with the exception of the commercial downtown core. There are
small businesses and institutional structures located throughout the area. The total
acreage of the Dubuque Urban Revitalization District is 1801 acres.
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
2.4 Assessed Valuations and Owners of Records
The names and address of current owners of record and the existing assessed
valuation of the real estate in the Dubuque Urban Revitalization District, listing land
and building values separately, is included in Exhibit D. A map of property values
is shown on Exhibit E.
2.5 City Services
This area is served by city services.
3.0 RELOCATION
No relocation should occur due to the rehabilitation of the parcels identified for
expansion of this district. Should relocation occur as a result of rehabilitation in the
proposed district, the person(s) causing a qualified tenant to be displaced shall pay
all of the relocation costs of the tenant as a condition for receiving a tax -exemption
under Iowa Code Section 404.3. "Qualified tenant" shall mean the legal occupant
of a residential dwelling unit which is located within this designated revitalization
area and who has occupied the same dwelling unit continuously since one year
prior to the city's adoption of this plan pursuant to Iowa Code Section 404.2.
4.0 QUALIFICATION OF AREA
The Dubuque Urban Revitalization District Area for purposes of this initiative is
composed of CDBG eligible areas of the city located in or near the downtown.
These are areas that have been identified to have at least 51 % of the residents
below median family income.
The housing in the area is among the oldest in the City, with more than 96% of all
structures built before 1969 (50 years old) and 71 % of units built pre-1939 (pre -
World War II).
The housing, while among the oldest in the City, has retained much of its
historic character. Homes are generally small, built on narrow, 20-25 foot,
frontage lots close to the downtown core. The further the buildings are from the
downtown core; the houses and lots grow in size. Rear alleys and garages
provide some off-street parking on most blocks. Decline in appearance and
maintenance of housing in the area is substantiated by depressed property
assessed valuations.
4.1 Historic Significance
The Dubuque Urban Revitalization Area contains a predominance of older
structures that are worthy of preservation, and a number of deteriorating
buildings. In an effort to stem the deterioration of these housing resources, it's
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
appropriate that this area be designated as an urban revitalization area. The
plan seeks to preserve and restore the area's existing housing and commercial
stock and improve the residential quality of the entire revitalization area.
The City of Dubuque has conducted several In-depth architectural/historical
survey/evaluations of the city with the assistance of Jim Jacobsen, a historic
preservation consultant from History Pays. These surveys conducted from 2001
to 2015 identify National Register Eligible properties. Exhibit F shows the
Dubuque Urban Revitalization District in relation to these in-depth
architectural/historic survey/evaluations, National Register Listed Historic Districts
and properties that are 50 years or older. Properties that are 50 years or older is
one of the first criteria for a property to be considered for National Register
Eligibility. As stated above, over 96% of the properties in the Dubuque Urban
Revitalization are 50 years or older.
4.2 Building Conditions
The city assessor list building conditions for all properties located in the city of
Dubuque. There are 7266 properties located in the Dubuque Urban
Revitalization District. Of these 7266 properties, 5800 have principal structures
(homes, commercial buildings, etc.) located on the property. Of the remaining
1,466 properties, 159 properties are surface parking areas, 91 properties contain
detached accessory structures (garages, sheds, etc.) only, 946 properties are
vacant, and 271 properties are classified as observed.
The following chart provides a breakdown of the number of these properties with
principal structures and the percentage of the total based on condition.
ConditionBuilding
Very Poor
383
Total
6.60%
Poor
765
13.19%
Below Normal
1117
19.26%
Normal
2099
36.19%
Above Normal
1023
17.64%
Very Good
330
5.69%
Excellent
83
1.43%
Based on information provided by the city assessor, 39.05% of the principal
structures are classified as having a condition Below Normal, Poor or Very Poor.
5.0 REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
5.1 Tax Exemption
a) Property assessed as residential will be eligible for property tax exemption
will be in accordance with the Code of Iowa, Chapter 404.3(4), providing for a
ten-year, 100% exemption of the actual value added by the improvements.
Property assessed as commercial will be eligible for property tax exemption in
accordance with Code of Iowa, Chapter 404.3 (2), providing for a three-year,
100% exemption of the actual value added by the improvements.
b) "Qualified real estate" means real property, other than land, which is
located in a designated revitalization area and to which improvements
have been added, during the time the area was so designated, which have
increased the actual value by at least fifteen percent., or at least ten percent in
the case of real property assessed as residential, or which have, in the case of
land upon which is located more than one building and not assesses as
residential property, increased the actual value of the buildings to which the
improvements have been made by at least fifteen percent.
Property tax exemption shall be available only for 'improvements', which
include rehabilitation and additions to the existing structures. "Actual value
added by improvements" means the actual value added as of the first year
for which the exemption was received.
d) Any improvements that were assessed before the area was officially
designated will not be eligible for exemption. Improvements begun prior to
one year prior to the area becoming designated will not be eligible for
exemption. All exemptions existing at the time of the repeal of the Dubuque
Urban Revitalization District shall continue until their expiration.
e) Improvements must result in that structure meeting applicable building,
plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and other code requirements of the City of
Dubuque.
f) The actual value of the improvements must result in an increase in assessed
value as stated above in (b). Each year that an application is made for tax
exemption, the assessed value must have increased in that year by the
required percentage.
g) The area shall become a Revitalization District commencing upon the
adoption of the ordinance approving this Revitalization District by the City
Council. The designation of the Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan Area
will remain in effect until the desired level of revitalization has been attained
or 10 years whichever comes first. Upon repeal of the ordinance
establishing this revitalization area, all existing exemptions would continue
until their previously established expiration date.
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
5.2 Availability of funding
There are at present many active programs, which may provide a source of
funding for residential and commercial improvements to the proposed district.
These include: Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG), HOME
funds, HUD Special Purpose Grants, and Lead -Based Paint Hazard Control
Grant.
6.0 APPLICATION PROCEDURE
This area, upon designation, will follow the procedures for application and
granting of the property tax exemption within the City of Dubuque.
a) The property owner must apply for an exemption by February 1 st of the
assessment year for which the exemption is first claimed, but not later
than the year in which all the improvements included in the project are first
assessed for taxation, or the following two assessment years, in which case the
exemption is allowed for the total number of years in the exemption schedule.
Upon the request of the owner, the governing body of the City may provide by
resolution that the owner may file an application no later than February 1 of the
tenth assessment year.
b) The application must contain, at a minimum, the following:
1. The nature of the improvements,
2. The cost of the improvements,
3. The actual or estimated date of completion, and
4. The tenants occupying the property as of the date of the City's
resolution adopting this plan.
c) The City reviews all applications to determine whether the improvement project
conforms to the revitalization plan, is within a designated area, and if the
improvements were made during the appropriate time period. If the project
meets all three criteria, the City shall forward the application to the assessor by
March 1 st, with a statement as to which exemption applies. Applications for
exemptions for succeeding years on approved projects shall not be required.
d) The local assessor shall review each application by making a physical review
of the property, to determine if the improvements made increased the actual
value of the qualified real estate by at least fifteen percent or ten percent in the
case of real property assessed as residential property. If the assessor
determines that the actual value of that real estate has increased by at least
the requisite percent, the assessor shall certify the property valuation,
determined pursuant to the tax exemption schedule, to the County Auditor at
the time of transmitting the assessment rolls. The assessor shall notify the
applicant of the determination, and the assessor's decision may be appealed
to the local board of review at the time specified in Iowa Code. The property
owner may also refile an application in a subsequent year after additional
improvements have been made.
Dubuque Urban Revitalization Plan
Adopted October 2019
Amended January 2024
e) After the tax exemption is granted, the assessor shall continue to grant the tax
exemption, with periodic physical review by the assessor, for the allotted time
period specified in the tax exemption schedule.
f) An application for exemption received by February 1 in any year after the year
in which the improvement was completed and first assessed for taxation, is a
late application. Late application may be made in any year up to the tenth year
following completion of the improvement. The exemption period will be the
remainder of the ten year period, which began upon completion of the
improvement, except the total number of years in the exemption schedule will
be allowed if a claim for exemption is filed within two years of the February 1
filing deadline.
7.0 Conclusion
The proposed urban revitalization district will assist the rehabilitation efforts of vacant
or deteriorating properties by providing needed housing units and supporting
commercial uses for the citizens of Dubuque and the surrounding area. After the ten-
year abatement period lapses on these projects, the full assessed value of the
rehabilitation property will go on the tax rolls to the benefit of the entire community.
EXHIBITA Dubuque Urban Revitalization District Map
EXHIBIT B Zoning District Map
EXHIBIT C Land Use Map
EXHIBIT D Listing of Names and Addresses of Current Owners and Assessed
Valuation of Real Estate
EXHIBIT E Property Value Map
EXHIBIT F Architecture and Historical Significance Map