Resolution of Necessity for the Proposed Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area, Version 2026.1City of Dubuque
City Council
Copyrighted
September 8, 2026
ITEMS SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING # 8.
ITEM TITLE: Resolution of Necessity for the Proposed Amended and
Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing
Urban Renewal Area, Version 2026.1
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the
Resolution of Necessity that: 1) finds that an Amended and
Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing
Urban Renewal Area is both necessary and appropriate; and
2) sets a public hearing on the proposed plan for October 5,
2026
RESOLUTION Of Necessity Finding That Certain Areas To
Be Included Within The Switch Homes Housing Urban
Renewal Area Meet The Definition Of An Economic
Development Area Under Urban Renewal Law, And That
Development Of Said Areas Are Necessary In The Interest Of
The Residents Of The City Of Dubuque, Iowa, And Setting
Dates Of Hearing And Consultation On A Proposed Amended
And Restated Urban Renewal Plan For Said Area
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for
DISPOSITION: October 5, 2026
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Resolution of Necessity Proposed Amended Restated Urban Renewal
Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area, Version 2026_1
2. Staff Memo
3. Notice of Public Hearing
4. Resolution of Necessity
5. Attachment A - Map
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution of Necessity for the Proposed Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area,
Version 2026.1
DATE: September 1, 2026
Assistant Economic Development Director Ian Hatch is recommending City Council adopt
the Resolution of Necessity that: 1) finds that an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal
Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area is both necessary and
appropriate; and 2) sets a public hearing on the proposed plan for October 5, 2026.
The proposed Plan would update language to accurately reflect changes to Iowa Urban
Renewal Law stemming from Senate File 2472, including changes to the duration of TIF
ordinances and changes to the Low and Moderate Income set aside (LMI set aside).
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Y
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
►VA140►TAWA
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Ian Hatch, Assistant Economic Development Director
Dubuque Economic Development
Department
THE CITY OF 1300 (wain street
All-AM111094 Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
UB E vxxwi Office (563) 589-4393
1 I I TTY (563) 690-6678
I® http://www.cityofdubuque.org
2007-2012*2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Ian Hatch, Assistant Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Resolution of Necessity for the Proposed Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area,
Version 2026.1
DATE: August 27, 2026
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum presents for City Council consideration a Resolution of Necessity that:
1) finds that an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes
Housing Urban Renewal Area is both necessary and appropriate; and 2) sets a public
hearing on the proposed plan for October 5, 2026.
The proposed Plan would update language to accurately reflect changes to Iowa Urban
Renewal Law stemming from Senate File 2472, including changes to the duration of TIF
ordinances and changes to the Low and Moderate Income set aside (LMI set aside).
BACKGROUND
The Dubuque City Council approved the Urban Renewal Plan (the Plan) for the Switch
Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area (the Area) by Resolution 219-23 dated July 5, 2023.
The Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area (the "Area") is an urban renewal area
which allows the City of Dubuque to capture tax increment revenue from improvements
made in the Area in order to promote housing and residential development activities. The
Area was created primarily for the development of a residential district (Switch Homes)
and infrastructure improvements including but limited to installation of fiber conduit and
vaults, sanitary, storm, and combined sewers, waterworks and watermain extensions,
and drainage conduits, channels, and levees.
DISCUSSION
The primary goal of the Amended and Restated Plan is to stimulate, through public
involvement and commitment, private investment in new housing and residential
development as defined by the Iowa Code Section 403.17(12) and to provide for
infrastructure improvements to that area. This proposed Amended and Restated Plan
would result in improved roads and utilities in the Area.
The attached Resolution directs staff to prepare an Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area, to update language
based on recent changes to Urban Renewal law under Senate File 2472. The Iowa
General Assembly passed Senate File 2472 during the 2026 legislative session. The bill
included changes to major provisions of Iowa urban renewal law and tax increment
financing (TIF). Because of these changes, some language used in the most recent
version of the Plan is no longer up to date. An example includes language discussing the
duration of TIF ordinances. Under previous Iowa law, TIF ordinances for market rate
housing urban renewal areas, such as the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area,
were limited to 10 fiscal years. Under SF 2472, new TIF ordinances for market rate
housing urban renewal areas are limited to 23 fiscal years. There is language in the Plan
that specifically refers to the prior rule of 10 years, which must be updated.
Furthermore, language referring to the Low and Moderate Income (LMI) set aside must
be removed. Under previous Iowa law, urban renewal areas for market rate housing were
required to set aside a portion of tax increment generated (38.1 % in Dubuque) to be used
for supporting Low and Moderate Income housing projects and programs throughout the
community. Senate File 2472 repealed the LMI set aside, meaning no new revenue can
be specifically diverted and set aside from LMI purposes. Language in the Plan must be
updated to reflect this change.
Per Chapter 403 of Iowa Code, staff are required to hold a consultation process with the
affected taxing entities giving them the opportunity to comment on the proposed Plan
prior to the required public hearing by the City Council. Additionally, to the extent the
Plan includes the use of tax increment revenues for a public building, an analysis must
be provided demonstrating alternative development and funding options for such public
buildings.
A City Council public hearing on the Urban Renewal Plan will be scheduled for October
5, 2026. The public notice will be published four to twenty days before the meeting to
allow for the appropriate publication requirements. This will allow time for preparation of
the Plan and the consultation process with the taxing entities.
K
RECOMMENDATION/ ACTION STEP
I recommend the City Council adopt the attached Resolution of Necessity that begins the
process of preparing the Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Switch
Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area to include the above -described changes and any
other applicable updating that may be necessary.
The proposed Plan will provide for the continued use of tools that encourage investment
and development activities in the Area and support revitalization within the Area and the
community at large.
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, will
hold a public hearing on the 5th day of October, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic Federal
Building, 350 W. 6th Street, 2nd floor, Dubuque, Iowa. At said meeting the City Council
will consider a proposed Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan ("the Plan") for the
Switch Homes Urban Renewal Area ("the Area"). 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://cityofdubuque.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/ or by
contacting the City Clerk's Office at 563-589-4100, ctyclerk(a)_cityofdubug ue.orq.
The Amended and Restated Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area is
proposed to assist local officials promote housing and residential development in the City
of Dubuque ("the City"). The primary goal of the Plan is to stimulate, through public
involvement and commitment, private investment in new housing and residential
development as defined by the Iowa Code Section 403.17(12). The proposed Plan, if
approved, would include public improvements related to housing and residential
development within public rights -of -way and project activities that may be undertaken in
order to achieve the objectives of the Plan.
The Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area is legally described as follows:
All of The Farm in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, according to the Final Plat recorded
as Instrument #2024-00004916, records of Dubuque County, Iowa, and all of the
adjacent right of way of West 32nd Street and all of the adjacent right of way of
Northwest Arterial, excepting therefrom Lot 85 of The Farm in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa; and
Lot 1 of MZH West 32nd Addition, in the City of Dubuque, according to the Plat of
Survey recorded as Instrument #2026-00008836, records of Dubuque County,
Iowa, and all of the adjacent right of way of West 32nd Street; and
Lot 1 & Lot 2 of MZH West 32nd Addition #2, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
according to the Plat of Survey recorded as Instrument #2026-00008837, records
of Dubuque County, Iowa, and all of the adjacent right of way of West 32nd Street
all in the City of Dubuque, Iowa
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. Written comments regarding the
proposed Plan may be submitted to the City Clerk's Office on or before said time of public
hearing.
Copies of supporting documents for the public hearing are on file in the City Clerk's Office,
50 W. 13t" Street, and may be viewed during normal working hours. Agendas can be
accessed at https://www.cityofdubugue.org/Agendas.
Individuals with limited English proficiency, vision, hearing or speech impairments or
requiring special assistance should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4100,
TDD/TTY (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 8th day of September, 2026.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Prepared by Joe Link Economic Development 1300 Main Street Dubuque IA 52001 (563) 589-4393
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 1V St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 336-26
A RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY FINDING THAT CERTAIN AREAS TO BE
INCLUDED WITHIN THE SWITCH HOMES HOUSING URBAN RENEWAL AREA
MEET THE DEFINITION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA UNDER URBAN
RENEWAL LAW, AND THAT DEVELOPMENT OF SAID AREAS ARE NECESSARY IN
THE INTEREST OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, AND
SETTING DATES OF HEARING AND CONSULTATION ON A PROPOSED AMENDED
AND RESTATED URBAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR SAID AREA.
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque has heretofore approved the
Urban Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban Renewal Area (the "Area") in
order to provide redevelopment opportunities which will further the purposes and
objectives of the foregoing Urban Renewal Plan; and
Whereas, City staff have recommended that the Plan be amended to update
language in accordance with recent changes to Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code stemming
from SF 2472, and that the proposed Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan
("Plan") be updated to include additional urban renewal project descriptions and make
any other necessary revisions; and
Whereas, Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code requires that before urban renewal
authority may be exercised, a City Council must adopt a resolution of necessity finding
that the area in question is a slum, blighted or economic development area, and that so
designating such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare
of the residents of the municipality.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the City Manager is authorized and directed to prepare an
Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Switch Homes Housing Urban
Renewal Area to accomplish the foregoing purposes and objectives, and to include in
such Plan any appropriate project activities and details, to determine an appropriate date
for and conduct the consultation process required by law with affected taxing entities
concerning the proposed Plan.
Section 2. That the City Council hold a public hearing on the adoption of the
proposed Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the South Pointe Housing
Urban Renewal Area on October 5, 2026, at 6.30 p.m. in the Historic Federal Building,
350 West 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001. The notice of said hearing shall generally
identify the areas covered by the Plan and the general scope of the urban renewal
activities planned for such areas, and said notice shall be published and available to the
public not less than four (4) days nor more than twenty (20) days before the date of said
meeting.
Section 3. That the Economic Development Director is directed to send by
ordinary mail a copy of said Plan, the notice of public hearing, a notice of consultation,
and, to the extent the Plan includes the use of tax increment revenues for a public
building, an analysis of alternative development and funding options for such public
buildings, to the Dubuque Community School District and the Dubuque County Board of
Supervisors, as the affected taxing entities.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 8th day of September, 2026.
ATTEST:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
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