Minutes_Zoning Board of Adjustment 05.22.25Copyrighted
July 7, 2025
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of June 16, 2025; Arts and Cultural
Affairs Commission of May 27, 2025; Civil Service
Commission of January 17, February 12, March 3, March 12,
March 20, and April 9, 2025; Community Development
Advisory Commission of May 21, 2025; Historic Preservation
Commission of May 15, 2025; Library Board of Trustees
Update from May 22, 2025; Park and Recreation Commission
of May 21, 2025; Resilient Community Advisory Commission
of April 23, 2025; Zoning Advisory Commission of June 4,
2025; Zoning Board of Adjustment from May 22, 2025; Proof
of Publication for City Council Proceedings of June 2, 2025.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 6 16 25 City Council Minutes
2. Arts and Cultural Affairs Minutes
3. 25 01 17 Civil Service Minutes
4. 25 02 12 Civil Service Minutes
5. 25 03 03 Civil Service Minutes
6. 25 03 12 Civil Service Minutes
7. 25 03 20 Civil Service Minutes
8. 25 04 09 Civil Service Minutes
9. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
10. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
11. Library Board of Trustees Update
12. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
13. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
14. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
15. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
16. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of June 2, 2025
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Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
Board Members Present: Chairperson Jonathan McCoy, Board Members Keith
Ahlvin, Gwen Kosel, Rena Stierman, and Matt Mauss.
Board Members Excused: None
Board Members Unexcused: None
Staff Members Present: Shena Moon, Travis Schrobilgen, and Matt O'Brien
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson McCoy at 5:30 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Mauss, seconded by Ahlvin, to approve the minutes of the April
24, 2025 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Kosel, Mauss, Stierman, and McCoy; Nay — None.
DOCKET — 14-25: Application of Mary Summers, Oakwood Investments, 65 Meadow
Lane, to allow a total of 2,640 square feet of accessory structures where 1,000 square
feet maximum is permitted in an R-1 Single Family zoning district.
Terry Koelker, from Buesing and Associates at 1212 Locust Street, spoke in favor of the
request for the applicant. Koelker explained that the applicant has three (3) separate lots
and is seeking to reconfigure the boundary lines between lots. The proposed subdivision
would allow Lot 3 to retain the existing single-family residence and acquire two existing
accessory structures located on the two adjacent lots. Lot 1 and Lot 2 will each retain an
existing single-family residence.
There was no public input.
Staff Member Moon detailed the staff report noting that the subdivision plat would
reconfigure three existing lots into three new lots. She stated the applicant is seeking to
reallocate two existing accessory structures on the adjacent lots to the property at 65
Meadow Lane. She stated that all lots will continue to have adequate access from
Meadow Lane.
Page 67 of 678
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
May 22, 2025 Page 2
The Board sought clarification regarding the parking requirements for the three lots. Mr.
Koelker stated off-street parking exists for all proposed lots. Staff Member Moon stated
that two (2) off-street parking spaces are required by code and that each proposed lot
would meet this requirement. She also clarified that staff have reviewed the proposed
lots for compliance with the R-1 zoning district bulk regulations which include
requirements for setbacks and lot coverage, and that all proposed lots would be compliant
with those regulations. Board Member Ahlvin suggests there should be a condition for no
commercial activity in the garages. Mr. Koelker stated this was previously discussed and
approved by the property owner.
Motion by Ahlvin, seconded by Kosel, to approve the request with the following condition.
1. That no commercial activity shall be allowed in the detached accessory structures.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Kosel, Mauss, Stierman, and McCoy;
Nay — None.
DOCKET—15-25: Application of Josh Ramler, Ramler Construction, June Drive, to allow
a single-family residence 270 feet from the front property line where a maximum of 50' is
allowed in an R-1 Single -Family Residential zoning district.
Josh Ramler, 2019 Creekwood Drive, spoke in favor of the request. He explained that he
is building a single-family residence on the subject property for his clients.
There was no public input.
Staff Member Schrobilgen detailed the staff report noting that the applicant is building a
single-family residence in the center of a very large lot at the west terminus of June Drive.
He stated that a formal site plan is not required but the Development Review Team did a
courtesy review to address snowplowing, fire access, and stormwater management for
the property. He said that given the location of the home and existing surrounding
development, that impact on or to the nearest neighbors is not anticipated. Staff provided
the Board with two letters of support and one letter inquiring where the house would be
located on the lot. Staff also noted that a rezoning of at least a part of the property was
required and that any Board approval would be contingent on approval to rezone the
property.
Chairperson McCoy asked for clarification regarding how an emergency response vehicle
would access the property. Staff Member Schrobilgen stated that the project must meet
all applicable city codes regarding development including building code, stormwater
management, emergency access, and fire safety. Board Member Mauss stated that there
is a property nearby within the city that is similar in size and layout and that he had no
concerns with the request. Staff Member Moon shared a vicinity map showing which
surrounding properties are within and outside city limits.
Page 68 of 678
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
May 22, 2025 Page 3
Motion by McCoy, seconded by Mauss, to approve the request with the following
condition:
1. That the property owner shall obtain approval from all appropriate city departments
regarding the emergency apparatus access requirements, fire safety
requirements, and utility connection requirements.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Kosel, Mauss, Stierman, and McCoy;
Nay — None.
DOCKET — 16-25: Application of Jordan Rettenmaier, 385 Saunders Street, to allow a
total of 1,940 square feet of accessory structures where 1,000 square feet maximum is
permitted in an R-1 Single Family zoning district.
Jordan Rettenmaier, at 385 Saunders Street, spoke in favor of his request. He was joined
by Kevin Oberbroeckling from CK Construction at 7869 Commerce Park. Mr. Rettenmaier
stated that Mr. Oberbroeckling would be constructing the shed if approved by the Board.
Mr. Rettenmaier stated that the storage shed will be used for personal use. He also stated
that he believes some neighbors may have misunderstood the public notice and think that
a 1,940 sq. ft. storage shed is requested, instead of understanding that this would be the
total of accessory structures on the subject property, both existing and proposed.
There was no public input.
Staff Member O'Brien detailed the staff report noting that the applicant proposes to build
a 280 sq. ft. storage shed in the center of the 65,000 sq. ft. lot behind the primary
residence. The property currently contains other accessory structures including two
detached garages and a freestanding solar array. Staff provided the Board one (1) letter
of opposition, one (1) letter of general inquiry, three (3) letters of support, and photos and
a description of the request from the applicant.
Chairperson McCoy reiterated that the new storage shed will be built on an existing slab.
Board Member Stierman suggested the Board consider a condition that no commercial
use be allowed in the shed.
Motion by Mauss, seconded by Kosel, to approve the request with the following condition:
1. That no commercial activity shall be allowed in the detached accessory structure.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin, Kosel, Mauss, Stierman, and
McCoy; Nay — None.
DOCKET — 17-25: Chairperson McCoy explained that this application was withdrawn by
the applicant and therefore the Board would not be discussing this docket item.
Page 69 of 678
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
May 22, 2025
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM BOARD: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
• Next Meeting Date: June 26, 2025
Page 4
Chairperson McCoy proposed a 5.00pm start time for the meetings in June and July.
There were no objections from the other Board Members. Staff confirmed that they would
adjust the start time for those two meetings.
Staff Members Moon and Staff Member Schrobilgen noted law changes at the state level
that would affect variance requests and accessory dwelling units. Staff Member Moon
stated that staff will provide a more detailed report regarding these law changes in the
near future after consulting with the City Attorney's Office.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by McCoy, seconded by Ahlvin, to adjourn the May 22, 2025
Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Ahlvin,
Kosel, Mauss, Stierman, and McCoy; Nay — None
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shena Moon, Associate Planner
June 26, 2025
Adopted
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