Minutes_Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 03.19.25 Copyrighted
June 2, 2025
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of May 19, 2025; Airport
Commission of March 25, 2025; Equity and Human Rights
Commission of April 8, 2025; Historic Preservation
Commission of April 17, 2025; Housing Commission of
January 28, 2025; Long Range Planning Advisory
Commission of March 19, 2025; Mayor and City Council
Compensation Task Force Minutes of May 21, 2025; Park
and Recreation Commission of April 7, 2025; Zoning Board of
Adjustment of April 24, 2025; Proof of Publication for City
Council Proceedings of April 24, April 28, and May 5, 2025.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTAC H M ENTS:
1. 5 19 25 City Council Minutes
2. Airport Commission Minutes
3. Equity and Human Rights Commission Minutes
4. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
5. Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
6. Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Minutes
7. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
8. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
9. Proof_4.24.25
10. Proof 4.28.25
11. Proof 5.5.25
12. 5.21.25 Compensation Task Force Minutes
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Michael Rabagia, Vice Chairperson Beth
McGrath; Commissioners Jason Davis, Aaron Miller, and Julietta Scott; Commissioner
Cliff Conrad attended virtually.
Commissioners Excused: Mark Ward.
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Wally Wernimont and Jason Duba.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Rabagia at 5:30 p.m.
Introductions were made for new commissioner Julietta Scott, liaison from the Housing
Commission.
MINUTES: Motion by Rabagia, seconded by McGrath, to approve the minutes of the
February 19, 2025 Long Range Planning Advisory Commission meeting as submitted.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Conrad, Davis, McGrath, Miller, Scott, and
Rabagia; Nay— None.
ACTION ITEM
New Urban Revitalization District: Cedar Cross Road Urban Revitalization District
Planning Services Director Wernimont explained the application of Callahan Construction
and why this urban revitalization district is being created. He described the apartment
complex and its proposed six 30-unit buildings, totaling 180 units. He explained that the
applicant is seeking tax abatement of 100% for 10 years to pay for the off-site
improvements that will be provided: a turn lane on Cedar Cross and an extension of the
sanitary sewer main from Catfish Creek. He explained that this project falls under the
category of housing creation. He displayed the vicinity map, conceptual plan, and 3D
rendering of the proposed development, noting the locations of the buildings and
amenities. He stated that the commission's task is to review the proposal for alignment
with the Comprehensive Plan and make a recommendation to City Council.
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March 19, 2025
Staff Member Duba reviewed the Comprehensive Plan and the proposed development's
concurrence with it. He noted that the plan promotes infill and multi-family development.
He referred to several recommendations in the plan that the proposed project would help
to meet:
- Integrate future neighborhoods into Dubuque via access to trails, open space, and
other recreational and educational amenities and connections to needed goods
and services.
- Encourage a mix of housing affordable for all segments of Dubuque's populations
throughout the community, including options for those who might be saving for
their first home.
- Encourage new multi-family development in proximity to jobs to minimize
transportation costs.
Commissioner Miller asked clarifying questions about traffic entering and exiting the
property and traveling along Cedar Cross Road. Wernimont showed the concept plan and
explained the entrance and exit from the property and the traffic study's conclusion that
a left turn lane would need to be added on Cedar Cross Road, which would be one of the
improvements the developer pays for. He also described general changes to Cedar Cross
as more retail sales and service businesses get established along it and the City's goal
to improve the street at some point in the future.
Commissioner McGrath asked whether there would be any other access points to the
property. Wernimont explained that there was not another access due to the location
along Catfish Creek and along a hill. He noted that the Fire Department approved this
access per fire code with the condition that all buildings be sprinklered.
Wernimont gave an overview of the property's development history, its rezoning to PUD,
and an explanation of all the aspects that were covered through that process.
Commissioner Scott asked about the makeup of the apartment units. Wernimont stated
that he did not have the breakdown, but that it would be mostly one- and two-bedroom
units with some three-bedroom units. He noted that developers seeking City incentives
are required to accept applications from Housing Choice Voucher holders. He described
Callahan's other developments around eastern lowa, noting that he started developing in
Dubuque after the passage of housing incentives by City Council to address the
documented housing shortage of 1,100 units. Wernimont described other housing
developments in Dubuque, some of which are also using these incentives. He noted that
there are 2,400 units in various stages of review and construction.
Commissioner Miller asked about the tax incentive, and Wernimont explained that it's 10
years of tax abatement for the increase in property value above the current value, but the
school district portion of the tax is still collected. He estimated the value of the
development to be $30-$40 million. Commissioner Davis asked if the total 10-year
abatement amount was known. Wernimont replied that he didn't have that number, and
it was dependent on various factors, including whether all six apartment buildings would
ultimately be constructed. Wernimont described the benefits to all parts of the housing
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March 19, 2025
market when new housing of any type is constructed.
Commissioner McGrath asked about the phased approach of this development and what
that means for the tax abatement. Wernimont explained that each phase would have its
own schedule for tax abatement.
Wernimont described the difference between urban revitalization and urban renewal and
how urban renewal allows the City to use part of the increment for affordable housing
projects. He also described some of the other tax breaks that housing projects can utilize.
Commissioner Scott asked about acceptance of Housing Choice Vouchers and if there
was a quota requirement. Wernimont described the amount of rent an HCV could
potentially cover and there is no quota established.
Motion by Scott, seconded by McGrath, to recommend approval of the Cedar Cross Road
Urban Revitalization District. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Conrad,
McGrath, Scott and Rabagia; Nay — None; Abstain — Davis and Miller.
Note: Both Dave and Miller noted they would like to abstain from the vote until they know
the total amount of tax abatement the development would generate.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Imagine Dubuque Update
Duba explained that the Local Infrastructure Hub has asked to feature Imagine Dubuque
among their Transformative Projects.
UDC Update
Wernimont noted that they are reviewing the Technical Report produced by the
consultant, which will eventually be released to the public along with survey results. He
noted some of the topics under consideration are parking, design guidelines, and the
structure of the document.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Rabagia, seconded by Davis, to adjourn the March 19,
2025 Long Range Planning Advisory Commission meeting. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — Conrad, Davis, McGrath, Miller, Scott, Ward, and Rabagia; Nay —
None.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM.
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March 19, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
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`� May 21, 2025
ly W r mo lanning Services Director Adopted
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