Minutes_Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 02.21.24City of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE:
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
Copyrighted
August 5, 2024
Consent Items # 01.
Minutes and Reports Submitted
City Council Proceedings of July 15, 2024; Civil Service Commission of
July 10, 2024; Community Development Advisory Commission of June
26, 2024; Historic Preservation Commission of April 18, 2024 and June
20, 2024; Housing Commission of January 23, 2024; Library Board of
Trustees Update of June 27, 2024; Long Range Planning Advisory
Commission of February 21, 2024; Zoning Board of Adjustment of June
27, 2024; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of July 1,
2024.
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
City Council Proceedings of 7/15/24
Civil Service Commission of 7/10/24
Housing Commission of 1/23/24
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 4/18/24
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 6/20/24
Community Development Advisory Commission of
6/26/24
Library Board of Trustees Update of 6/27/24
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Minutes of Supporting
2/21/24
Zoning Board of Adjustment of 7/27/24
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
7/ 1 /24
Type
Supporting
Supporting
Supporting
Supporting
Supporting
Supporting
Supporting
Supporting
Supporting
Documentation
Documentation
Documentation
Documentation
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Documentation
Documentation
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Vice Chairperson Beth McGrath; Commissioners Rick
Merfeld and Mark Ward attended in -person. Commissioner Cliff Conrad attended
virtually.
Commissioners Excused: Chairperson Michael Rabagia, Tyler Stoffel
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Wally Wernimont and Jason Duba.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Beth McGrath at 5:40
p.m.
OATH OF OFFICE: Rick Merfeld joined the commission as the representative from the
Housing Commission.
MINUTES: Motion by Ward, seconded by McGrath, to approve the minutes of the October
18, 2023 Long Range Planning Advisory Commission meeting as submitted. Motion
carried by the following vote: Aye — Conrad, Merfeld, Ward, McGrath; Nay — None.
ACTION ITEMS: None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Imagine Dubuque update: Assistant Planner Duba and Planning Services Director
Wernimont led a review of selected progress updates about Imagine Dubuque
recommendations. One selection was made from each of the plan's seven categories.
Economic Prosperity: Housing: Progress on housing development was discussed,
including increased financial incentives from the City that are motivating new
development. Commissioner Ward asked about a timeline for the Fox Hills apartment
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February 21, 2024
complex, and Wernimont stated they are planning to break ground this spring.
Wernimont reviewed several other developments that are in progress.
Sustainable Environment: Clean Water: The commission discussed the recent award
of funding to help replace the gates and pumps that are part of the Bee Branch
Watershed Flood Mitigation Project. With the anticipated FY25 budget, construction
could begin this summer. Additional green (pervious) alleys are also being constructed
this summer.
Social + Cultural Vibrancy: Green Building + Historic Preservation: Duba reviewed
the update stating that the HEART Partnership has more than doubled capacity by
adding adult vocational programs in partnership with NICC, the City of Dubuque, and
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. He stated this is beneficial both for those
learning building trades and for Dubuque's large stock of historic homes and buildings in
need of maintenance.
Housing + Livable Neighborhoods: Livable Neighborhoods: The commission
discussed a proposed ordinance related to tents on private property, and Commissioner
Merfeld asked for more information about the ordinance and its timeline. Wernimont
stated it is directed to private residents who may be letting additional people live on their
property in tents.
Community Facilities: Duba reviewed two updates in which the Coordinator stated
that a recommendation is no longer a priority. The police chief stated that a police
substation is no longer being considered as modern policing treats the squad car as a
mobile office. The library director stated that a West End library branch is no longer a
priority following their space needs assessment. Duba indicated those are examples of
recommendations that might not remain following a future update of the plan.
Transportation + Mobility: Automobile Travel: The commission discussed the RAISE
planning grant the City received and the implementation grant it is applying for to
construct a railroad overpass at 14th Street and construct related improvements in the
area. Merfeld asked if this would allow the trains not to blow their horns, and a
discussion of the Quiet Zone Study followed, including the need to upgrade safety
features at 14 at -grade crossings.
Land Use: Parks: Duba reviewed updates related to parks, including a purchase of
additional land at Four Mounds, a multi -department effort for grassland birds, and an
increase in pickleball facilities to meet growing demand.
Duba stated the intention to provide the commission with Imagine Dubuque updates on
a quarterly basis coinciding with Coordinators' updates in Achievelt.
Future Land Use Map update: Wernimont led a discussion of the City's Future Land
Use Map, how it helps the City make decisions about land use, and how the existing
map was developed. He stated the City Engineering Department is conducting a
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February 21, 2024
sanitary sewer asset management plan that uses the Future Land Use Map to help
make assumptions about future development. The existing map has numerous
inconsistencies that needed to be revised, such as residential land being marked as
open space. He stated that some additional revision will occur and then the commission
will review the map to recommend it for adoption.
Merfeld asked about collaboration with the City of Asbury, given that it is adjacent to
Dubuque. Wernimont discussed several of the ways that the cities cooperate.
Ward asked about how this affects zoning and whether property owners would be
notified and have a chance to provide feedback before these changes are made.
Wernimont noted that the Future Land Use Map is a guide, whereas zoning has legal
ordinance enforcing it. He explained that some cities revise their Future Land Use Map
concurrently with their zoning map.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ward, seconded by Merfeld, to adjourn the February 21,
2024 Long Range Planning Advisory Commission meeting. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — Conrad, Merfeld, Ward, McGrath; Nay — None.
The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
July 17, 2024
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director Adopted