Resolution Adopting a Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization PlanCopyrighted
October 6, 2025
City of Dubuque
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Resolution Adopting a Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
SUMMARY: Proof of publication on notice of public hearing to consider
City Council adopt the attached resolution adopting the
proposed Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan, and City
Manager recommending approval.
RESOLUTION Approving The Urban Revitalization Plan For
The Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
/_Aif_TS]:ILT, 1= kik16" 1
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
3. Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
4. LRPAC Recommendation to CC - Lake Ridge Drive Urban Revitalization Plan
5. Resolution
Page 1077 of 1264
THE C
DUj!BQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution Adopting a Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
DATE: October 1, 2025
Dubuque
AIFAWca Ciq
ni
I
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Assistant Economic Development Director Ian Hatch is recommending City Council
adopt the attached resolution adopting the proposed Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization
Plan.
CAL5, LLC, a subsidiary of Callahan Construction, purchased the property in June,
2025. The previous property owner planned to construct three multi -family apartment
buildings on the property, but only constructed one building completely, and one
building partially. As of January 1, 2025, only 75% of the second building had been
assessed.
To incentive the completion of this project, Staff recommend applying a 73% tax
abatement on the incremental property value generated by the completion of the project
for a duration of 10 years. The incremental property taxes will be those taxes generated
above the existing 2025 assessed valuation. The property currently resides within an
urban renewal district but must also reside in an urban revitalization area in order to
receive tax abatement.
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has reviewed the plan for the Lake
Ridge Urban Revitalization Area and forwarded its recommendation to the City Council
affirming the Plan is consistent with the 2017 Imagine Dubuque Comprehensive Plan.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Page 1078 of 1264
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Ian Hatch, Assistant Economic Development Director
Page 1079 of 1264
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
All -Americo Cigl
MIX 1Wlf. CT7�: f.l i"F�11I�':
UB E ' I
2007-2012.2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Ian C Hatch, Assistant Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Resolution Adopting a Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
DATE: September 29, 2025
Economic Development
Department
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
Office (563) 589-4393
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum is a request for the City Council to adopt the attached resolution
adopting the proposed Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan.
BACKGROUND
In September 2022, following a housing study which indicated the need for over 1,100
housing units before the year 2030, the Dubuque City Council approved the expansion of
incentives to be offered to developers of housing units. This slate of incentives included
the creation of Urban Revitalization Areas in order to facilitate the development of
multifamily housing.
Previously, Urban Revitalization Areas had been used in Dubuque for low-income housing
tax credit projects; however, the Council approved the use of Urban Revitalization Areas
for market -rate and workforce housing per Iowa Code Chapter 404.
CAL5, LLC, a subsidiary of Callahan Construction, purchased the property in June, 2025.
The previous property owner planned to construct three multi -family apartment buildings
on the property, but only constructed one building completely, and one building partially.
As of January 1, 2025 only 75% of the second building had been assessed.
Any construction or improvements that were assessed before the area is officially
designated will not be eligible for exemption.
DISCUSSION
Page 1080 of 1264
To incentive the completion of this project, Staff recommend applying a 73% tax abatement
on the incremental property value generated by the completion of the project for a duration
of 10 years. The incremental property taxes will be those taxes generated above the
existing 2025 assessed valuation.
Previously, a market -rate multifamily housing project was eligible for a declining abatement
schedule over a 10-year period, beginning at 80% the first year and ending with 20% in
year ten. However, the Iowa legislature recently removed the school foundational support
tax from the eligible taxes to be abated. This school foundational support tax amounts to
approximately 40% of the property taxes. City staff have determined that a flat 73%
abatement schedule for 10 years, minus the school foundational property tax, would be an
equal value to the intended 10-year declining schedule that included the school
foundational support tax.
The property currently resides within an urban renewal district but must also reside in an
urban revitalization area in order to receive this tax abatement schedule.
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has reviewed the plan for the Lake Ridge
Urban Revitalization Area and forwarded its recommendation to the City Council affirming
the Plan is consistent with the 2017 Imagine Dubuque Comprehensive Plan in
accordance with Section 15-2-13G of the City Code.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend, following the public hearing, the City Council adopt the attached Resolution
adopting the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan.
2
Page 1081 of 1264
Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
1.0 Introduction
This Plan describes certain provisions of the Iowa Urban Revitalization Act for the
Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area.
The State of Iowa, under Iowa Code Chapter 404, allows cities to designate areas
as urban revitalization districts. Under this statute, 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:
1. An area in which there is a predominance of buildings or improvements, whether
residential or nonresidential, which by reason of dilapidation, deterioration,
obsolescence, inadequate provision for ventilation, light, air, sanitation, or open
spaces, high density of population and overcrowding, the existence of conditions
which endanger life or property by fire and other causes or a combination of such
factors, is conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile
delinquency or crime, and which is detrimental to the public health, safety, or
welfare.
2. An area which by reason of the presence of a substantial number of deteriorated
or deteriorating structures, predominance of defective or inadequate street layout,
incompatible land use relationships, faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy,
accessibility or usefulness, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, deterioration of site or
other improvements, diversity of ownership, tax or special assessment
delinquency exceeding the actual value of the land, defective or unusual conditions
of title, or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and
other causes, or a combination of such factors, substantially impairs or arrests the
sound growth of a municipality, retards the provision of housing accommodations
or constitutes an economic or social liability and is a menace to the public health,
safety, or welfare in its present condition and use.
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 appropriate as an economic development area as defined in
section 403.17.
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Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
Page 2 of 6
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 Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan will be based upon the need for
construction of housing and residential development.
2.0 The Area
2.1 Location
Exhibit A identifies the location of the Revitalization Area in the City of
Dubuque. The Area encompasses one underdeveloped parcel situated on
Lake Ridge Drive.
2.2 Zoning
BLK 1 CEDAR LAKE ADD NO 2 in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, is zoned PR
Planned Residential PUD and allows for multi -family structures.
2.3 Existing and Proposed Land Use
The existing land use of the property includes two existing multifamily buildings
and the remainder of the Area is vacant and consists of grassland.
The proposed land use is multi -residential for multi -family structures.
2.4 Assessed Valuation and Owners of Records
Legal Description: BLK 1 CEDAR LAKE ADD NO 2
Owner of Record: CAL5, LLC
Land Value: $441,000
Dwelling Value: $3,488,400
Total Assessed Value: $3,929,400
3.0 Relocation
No relocation of residents should occur due to the development of the parcel
identified for this Area. Should relocation occur because of rehabilitation in the
proposed Area, the person(s) causing a qualified tenant to be displaced shall
pay all 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 for one year prior to the City's adoption of this Plan pursuant to
Iowa Code § 404.2.
4.0 Qualification of Areas
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Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
Page 3 of 6
This Revitalization Area is for new construction on undeveloped or
underdeveloped parcels, of multi -family housing units. Only parcels properly
zoned and providing new housing units are eligible.
Parcels in the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area that are not in need of
economic development for the purposes of new construction multi -family
housing as provided for in this Plan are excluded from eligibility for tax
incentives provided for in this plan.
There are housing, retail and commercial properties in the immediate
surrounding areas.
The Urban Revitalization Area is adjacent to several retail establishments.
Within one mile of the Revitalization Area there is a grocery store, pharmacy,
local transit, and restaurants.
Additionally, there are several employment opportunities within one mile of the
Revitalization Area, which include the establishments listed above as well as
several commercial employers within four miles.
4.1 Historic Significance
The Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area has historically been undeveloped
property adjacent to residential and commercial development. There have
been two buildings constructed on the qualifying parcels to date, beginning in
December 2023 and completed in June 2025
5.0 Revitalization Program
5.1 Tax Exemption
a) New construction multi -family residential property assessed as residential
will be eligible for property tax exemption. The property tax exemption will
be in accordance with the Iowa Code § 404.3(4), providing for a ten-year,
73% exemption of the actual value added by the improvements. Under Iowa
Code 404.3D, the property tax exemption on residential property shall not
apply to property tax levies imposed by a school district.
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 ten percent (10%) in the case of real property
assessed as residential.
c) Property tax exemption shall be available only for "new construction". "Actual
value added" means the actual value added as of the first year for which
the exemption was received as certified by the City Assessor.
d) Any construction or improvements that were assessed before the area was
officially designated will not be eligible for exemption. Construction
beginning greater than one year prior to the area becoming designated will
Page 1084 of 1264
Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
Page 4 of 6
not be eligible for exemption. All exemptions existing at the time of the
repeal of the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization District shall continue until
their expiration.
e) New construction must result in a 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 in Section 5.1(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 will become an Urban Revitalization Area commencing upon the
adoption of the ordinance approving this Urban Revitalization Area by the
City Council. The designation of the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area
will remain in effect until the desired level of revitalization has been attained.
Upon repeal of the ordinance establishing this revitalization area, all existing
exemptions would continue until their previously established expiration
date.
h) All rental units created must accept the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development housing assistance in the form of Housing Choice
Vouchers that are administered through the City of Dubuque Public Housing
Authority to be eligible for the tax abatement, for all ten years of the
abatement period. Denying a prospective tenant based on their source of
income will terminate eligibility for tax abatement under this plan.
6.0 Application Procedure
This area, upon designation, will follow the procedures for application and granting
property tax exemption within the City of Dubuque.
a) The property owner must apply for an exemption by February 1st 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 (if applicable):
a. The nature of the improvements,
b. The cost of the improvements,
c. The actual or estimated date of completion, and
d. The tenants occupying the property as of the date of the City's
Page 1085 of 1264
Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
Page 5 of 6
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 period. If the project
meets all three criteria, the City shall forward the application to the assessor
by March 1st, with a statement as to which exemption applies. Applications
for exemptions for succeeding years on approved projects are not 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 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.
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 ten-
year time 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 Revitalization Area will encourage new construction to provide
needed housing units. After the ten-year abatement period lapses, the full
assessed value of the property will go on the tax rolls to the benefit of the entire
community.
Page 1086 of 1264
EXHIBIT A
MAP
Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan
Page 6 of 6
Page 1087 of 1264
THE CITY OF
DUB TE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
Planning Services Department
City Hall - 50 West 13th Street
lu�A"e"°ice
Dubuque, IA 52001-4845
I I
(563) 589-4210 phone
I
(563) 589-4221 fax
2007-2012.2013
(563) 690-6678 TDD
2017*2019
plan n1ng(&cityofdubugue.org
September 19, 2025
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
SUBJECT: Creation of the Lake Ridge Drive Urban Revitalization Area
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Introduction
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has reviewed the proposed plan for the
Lake Ridge Drive Urban Revitalization Area for consistency with the 2017 Imagine
Dubuque Comprehensive Plan in accordance with Section 15-2-13G of the City Code.
Discussion
Ian Hatch, Assistant Economic Development Director, provided an information packet on
the proposed plan for the Lake Ridge Drive Urban Revitalization District, noting that it will
add to the City's tax base in the future. The property situated on Lake Ridge Drive is zoned
to accommodate multi -family structures. The area encompasses a parcel with two
completed 14-unit apartment buildings where the new owner plans to construct a third 14-
unit apartment building. The housing in the surrounding area is single-family and multiple -
family housing.
The Revitalization Area is in a mixed use area with residential, commercial, and light
industrial uses. Within one mile of the Revitalization Area there is a grocery store, pharmacy,
retail establishments, local transit, and restaurants. Additionally, there are several
employment opportunities within one mile of the Revitalization Area, which include the
establishments listed above as well as several commercial employers within four miles.
The Commission discussed the project and found the proposal consistent with the 2017
Imagine Dubuque Comprehensive Plan.
Recommendations
By a vote of 4-0, the Commission recommends approval of the Urban Revitalization Plan
for the creation of the Lake Ridge Drive Urban Revitalization District, as it is consistent with
the 2017 Imagine Dubuque Comprehensive Plan.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Page 1088 of 1264
Respectfully submitted,
Beth McGrath, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
cc: Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Ian Hatch, Assistant Economic Development Director
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Page 1089 of 1264
Prepared by Ian Hatch, Assistant Economic Development Director, 1300 Main St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589-4105
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13t° St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 325-25
APPROVING THE URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE LAKE RIDGE URBAN
REVITALIZATION AREA
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 301-25, adopted September 15th, 2025, the City
Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa authorized the preparation of an Urban
Revitalization Plan for the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area; and
- —WHEREAS, the -City -of Dubuque's primary objective -for the Urban Revitalization- -
Plan is to provide opportunities which will further economic development purposes and
objectives and remediate blighting conditions and to create new housing opportunities;
and
WHEREAS, housing creation remains a priority for the City Council of the City of
Dubuque, Iowa; and
WHEREAS, Block 1 of CEDAR LAKE ADDITION NO. 2, in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof (the Property), is the location of a proposed
apartment development by CAL5, LLC in the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to published notice, a public hearing was held on October
6th, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., on the proposed Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area Urban
Revitalization Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area Urban Revitalization
Plan, on file in the City Clerk's Office, is hereby approved.
Section 2. That the City Clerk of the City of Dubuque, Iowa is hereby authorized
and directed to file a certified copy of this Resolution in the Office of the Dubuque County
Auditor.
Passed, approved and adopted this 6th day of October, 2025.
.. : raffia
ATTEST:
Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk
1
Adrienne Breitfelder
From:Adrienne Breitfelder
Sent:Thursday, October 9, 2025 1:42 PM
To:keith.lucy@dubuquecountyiowa.gov
Subject:City of Dubuque Lake Ridge UR Plan
Attachments:Resolution Adopting a Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Plan.pdf
Hello Keith,
Attached is a certified copy of City of Dubuque Resolution No. 325-25 Approving the Urban Revitalization
Plan for the Lake Ridge Urban Revitalization Area.
Thank you,
Adrienne
Adrienne Breitfelder, CMC
City Clerk | City of Dubuque
City Hall | 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563-589-4121
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
09/19/2025
and for which the charge is 41.46
Subscribed to before me, a Notary Public Viand for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 19th day of September, 2025
Notary lic in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
JANET K. PAPE
o 7 Commission Number 199659
z '!
• ;,,�,• My Commission Expires
+o w a 12/11 /2025
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council
will conduct a public hearing on the 6th day of October, 2025,
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 urban
revitalization plan designated as the Lake Ridge Urban
Revitalization Plan (the Plan) under the authority of Chapter
404, Code of Iowa, as amended, for the property to be known as
the Lake Ridge Revitalization Area, legally described as Block
1 of CEDAR LAKE ADDITION NO. 2, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
according to the recorded plat thereof.
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 oral and
written 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://dubuqueia.portal.civicclerk.com/ or by contacting the
City Clerk's Office at 563-589-4100,
ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org.
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.
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 15th day
of September, 2025.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
1t 9/19