Request for Text Amendment_Passenger Rail FacilityPlanning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
planning@cityof dubuque.org
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E ~
Masterpiece on the Mississippi r ~ ~~
~I
2007
February 9, 2009
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque IA 52001
Applicant: City of Dubuque
Description: To amend the C-2 Neighborhood Shopping Center District to allow
"Passenger Transfer Facility" as a conditional use.
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The City of Dubuque Zoning Advisory Commission has reviewed the above-cited
request. The application, staff report and related materials are attached for your review.
Discussion
Planning staff reviewed the request, discussing the history of the "Passenger Transfer
Facility" amendment. Staff discussed the rationale for amending the C-2 District, noting
that a number of the C-2 properties are located in the downtown area that may
accommodate a passenger transfer facility. Staff discussed the conditional use permit
process.
There were no public comments.
The Zoning Advisory Commission discussed the request, and felt it is appropriate.
Recommendation
By a vote of 7 to 0, the Zoning Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council
approve the request.
A simple majority vote is needed for the City Council to approve the request.
Respectfully submitted,
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Jeff Stiles, ~hairperso~
Zoning Advisory Commission
Attachments
Service People Integrity
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T
THE CITY OF
DUB E
1Vlasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Zoning Advisory Commission
FROM: Kyle L. Kritz, Associate Planner
Dubuque
M-Amerlcal~
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2007
January 22, 2009
SUBJECT: Text Amendment to allow passenger transfer facility as a conditional use in
a C-2 Neighborhood Shopping Center District
INTRODUCTION
Planning Services staff is proposing to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow passenger
transfer facility as a conditional use in the C-2 Neighborhood Shopping Center District.
The Zoning Advisory Commission reviewed a similar amendment in October of 2008 to
add passenger transfer facility as a permitted use in the CS Commercial Service and
Wholesale, LI Light Industrial, MHI Modified Heavy Industrial, and HI Heavy Industrial
Districts, and as a conditional use in the C-3 General Commercial, C-4 Downtown
Commercial, and C-5 Central Business Districts. Planning Staff did not initially include
the C-2 District in the 2008 text amendment as most C-2 Districts are located in outlying
areas from downtown Dubuque. However, Burlington Trailways recently found a
potential site north of downtown that is, in fact, zoned C-2. Planning staff does not wish
to unnecessarily restrict potential locations for a passenger transfer facility, and thus is
proposing this text amendment.
BACKGROUND
Prior to the previous text amendment regarding passenger transfer facilities approved
by the City Council on October 20, 2008, the Zoning Ordinance did not allow for the
loading and unloading of regular scheduled interstate buses in any of the City's zoning
districts.
Recently, Burlington Trailways located in a C-4 Downtown Commercial District without
first reviewing the site with Planning staff. There has been concern expressed by
adjacent business owners regarding the adequacy of the current facility. Concerns with
Burlington Trailways have included: (1) Lack of off-street loading/unloading areas; and
(2) Lack of an adequately sized waiting room for passengers and luggage.
Text Amendment to Allow Passenger Transfer Facility
Page 2
Planning staff feels it would be appropriate to allow passenger transfer facilities in the
C-2 Neighborhood Shopping Center District, provided there is adequate review for
loading/unloading of passengers, particularly in congested commercial areas of the city.
Planning staff is proposing that passenger transfer facilities be allowed as a conditional
use in the C-2 District. Planning staff believes that a conditional use permit granted by
the Zoning Board of Adjustment is necessary in commercial district to ensure there is
adequate room for drop-off/pick-up of passengers as well as adequate indoor waiting
area for passengers and their luggage. The Zoning Board of Adjustment would review
the location and determine whether there is sufficient area for passengers to wait,
adequate space for loading/unloading and off-street parking. Property owners within
200 feet would be notified of the Board's public hearing on the request.
Planning staff is proposing that passenger transfer facilities be a conditional use in the
commercial districts because of the higher traffic volumes, density of development and
potential conflicts with other commercial businesses. The commercial service and
industrial districts tend to have larger lots with lower vehicle trips on adjacent streets
that are beneficial in siting a passenger transfer facility. In the past, interstate bus lines
stopped at the gas station/truck stop on Kerper Boulevard, at the Julien Inn, at the
Keyline Transit garage and at one time there was a bus terminal at the corner of Stn
Street and Central Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff has attached a draft ordinance for the Zoning Advisory Commission's
review. Planning staff recommends the Zoning Advisory Commission review the
request and recommend approval to the City Council.
KLK/mkr
Attachments
ORDINANCE NO. 9 -09
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3-3.2(D) APPENDIX A (THE ZONING ORDINANCE) OF
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING PASSENGER TRANSFER
FACILITIES AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE C-2 NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING CENTER
DISTRICT.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE,
IOWA:
Section 1. That Section 3-3.2(D) of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby
amended as follows:
Passenger Transfer Facilities:
(a) Such facility shall provide for the loading and unloading of passengers so as not to
obstruct public streets or alleys or create traffic or safety hazards;
(b) That adequate indoor waiting area is provided;
(c) That the parking group requirements can be met [19]. ,
Section 2. The foregoing amendment has heretofore been reviewed by the Zoning Advisory
Commission of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as provided by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this 16th day of February 2009.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk