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Minutes Long Range Planning 12 12 07THE CITY OF DUB E Masterpiece on the Mississippi Du~buqu~e ., ~*..~ :, '~ ~ <~ 2007 MINUTES LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION Wednesday, December 12, 2007 7:00 P.M. Board Room, Carnegie Stout Library 360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Winterwood; Commissioners Jim Prochaska, Otto Krueger and Rick Stein; Staff Members David Johnson and David Heiar. ABSENT: Commissioners Lou Oswald and Patricia Cline. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law. MINUTES: Motion by Stein, seconded by Krueger, to approve the minutes of August 15, 2007, as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Prochaska, Krueger, Stein and Winterwood; Nay None. ACTION ITEMS: Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District: Economic Development Director David Heiar introduced himself and explained that the proposed amendment expands the existing Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to include the Warehouse District and properties in the South Main Street subarea. He explained the expansion of the district supports future rehabilitation efforts and adaptive re-use of the Warehouse District and South Main Street subarea. He explained by incorporating these properties into the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District they will become eligible for several economic development tools, such as Tax Increment Financing and Downtown Rehabilitation Loan Funds. The Commission discussed the properties located within the Warehouse District and South Main Street subarea. Staff Member Heiar explained City Staff, Main Street Staff, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Staff as well as property owners within the Warehouse District have worked hard at creating a warehouse district plan. He explained the goals of the plan are to create amixed-use environment where people desire to live, work and play. The Commission felt expansion of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District would greatly assist in the rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the Warehouse District and South Main subarea, which is a significant asset to the community as well as a priority for the City of Dubuque. Staff Member Johnson noted the proposed amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District is considered consistent with Economic Development Element: Goal 1, Objective 1.3; Goal Minutes -Long Range Planning Advisory Commission December 12, 2007 Page 2 3, Objective 3.8; Goal 8, Objectives 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3; and the Land Use and Urban Design Element: Goal 7, Objectives 7.1 and 7.3. Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Krueger, to recommend approval of the amended and restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District to include the Warehouse District and properties in the South Main Street subarea, as it is consistent with the 2002 Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Prochaska, Krueger, Stein and Winterwood; Nay None. Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan forthe Dubuque Industrial Center Economic Development District: Economic Development Director Dave Heiar explained the Dubuque Industrial Center Economic Development District includes areas of the Dubuque Industrial Center and the Dubuque Industrial Center West. He stated the proposed district amendment would remove the North Siegert Farm and rail site from the Dubuque Industrial Center West. Staff Member Heiar explained that the North Siegert Farm and Rail Site currently only have 9 years of the 20 year limitation on the use of tax increment financing remaining. He explained consequently, this limits the ability to recruit and expand businesses. He explained the goal would be to once again include the North Siegert Farm and Rail Site into the Urban Renewal Plan for the Dubuque Industrial Center Economic Development District at a later date to regain the 20-year limitation on the use of tax increment financing. He stated the 20-year limitation is more advantageous when recruiting and expanding businesses. The Commission questioned the history of the properties. Staff Member Heiar stated that North Siegert Farm was purchased using tax increment revenue from the district and the farm has not been developed with any increment financing from the district to date. He stated the rail site has not seen any development or recent interest, but grading improvements were paid for by tax increment revenues from other properties within the Urban Renewal District. He stated the site will most likely not be developed in the near future. The Commission discussed the request and stated removal of the North Siegert Farm and Rail Site for the purposes of re-establishing it back into the district at a later date to gain the 20-year limitation on the use of tax increment financing would be a benefit to economic development in the area. Staff Member Johnson noted the request is consistent with the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Element: Goal 1, Objective 1.3; Goal 8, Objectives 8.1 and 8.2; Goal 10, Objectives10.1 and 10.2; and the Land Use and Urban Design Element Goal 3, Objective 3.1; and the City Fiscal Element Goal 1, Objective 1.3. Motion by Stein, seconded by Prochaska, to recommend approval of the amended and restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Dubuque Industrial Center Economic Development District to remove the North Siegert Farm and rail site, as the proposed amendment is Minutes -Long Range Planning Advisory Commission December 12, 2007 Page 3 consistent with the 2002 Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Prochaska, Krueger, Stein and Winterwood; Nay None. ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Commissioner Recruitment: The Commission discussed the vacant position on the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission, and stated City staff should begin the recruitment process. Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Krueger, to direct staff to recruit a new Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Member to fill the vacant position in addition to any applications that may already be on file with the City Clerk's Office. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Prochaska, Krueger, Stein and Winterwood; Nay None. Dubuque Comprehensive Plan Update -City Council Work Session: The Commission discussed what transpired at the December 10 City Council work session on the comprehensive plan update. The Commission discussed participating in the public hearing scheduled for January 22, 2008. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Representative to Green City Citizen Task Force: Staff Member Johnson stated that the City Manager's Office is requesting a representative from the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission to serve on the Green City Citizen Task Force. He stated that in 2006, the City Council identified the Green City designation as one of its top priorities, and since that time many initiatives have been undertaken to begin to make Dubuque a more sustainable community. He explained that as part of the City's commitment to sustainability, the City will be hiring a consultant to guide a Citizen Task Force in defining what "green" means to the citizens of Dubuque. He explained the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission is a key stakeholder in the process. The Commission discussed participation in the task force. Chairperson Winterwood noted he would most likely serve on the task force as a representative from one of the environmental organizations he is associated with. Commissioner Prochaska explained he participated in the Sustainable Design Assessment Team process and was impressed with the consultants and the City's commitment to sustainability. Motion by Krueger, seconded by Stein, to nominate Commissioner Prochaska as the representative from the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission to serve on the Green City Citizen Task Force. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Prochaska, Krueger, Stein and Winterwood; Nay None. 2008 Meeting Schedule: Staff Member Johnson presented the 2008 meeting schedule and requested the Commission review it and contact staff with any questions. Minutes -Long Range Planning Advisory Commission December 12, 2007 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted