Minutes_Zoning Board of Adjustment 10 24 19 Copyrighted
November 18, 2019
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission and Working Groups
of 10/22; City Council proceedings of 11/4, 11/12; Historic
Preservation Commission of 9/25; Housing Commission of
10/22, 11/14; Historic Preservation Commission of 9/25;
Human Rights Commission of 9/9, 9/26; Library Board of
Trustees of 9/6; Transit Advisory Board of 10/24; Zoning
Advisory Commission of 11/6; Zoning Board of Adjustment
of 10/24; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings
of 10/21.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Arts Commission & Working Groups Minutes of Supporting Documentation
10/22/19
City Council Proceedings of 11/4/19 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 11/12/19 Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Minutes of 9/25/19 Supporting Documentation
Housing Commission Minutes of 10/22/19 Supporting Documentation
Housing Commission Minutes of 11/14/19 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 9/9/19 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 9/26/19 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 9/26/19 Supporting Documentation
TransitAdvisory Board of 10/24/19 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 11/6/19 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustrnent Minutes of 10/24/19 Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
10/21/19
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
REGULAR SESSION
5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Board Members Present: Chairperson Jonathan McCoy, Board Members Keith
Ahlvin, Jeff Cremer and Bethany Golombeski; Staff Members Guy Hemenway and
Travis Schrobilgen.
Board Members Excused: Gwen Kosel.
Board Members Unexcused: None.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson McCoy at 5:00 p.m.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the
meeting was being held in compliance with the lowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: Motion by Cremer, seconded by Ahlvin, to approve the minutes of the
September 26, 2019 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting as submitted. Motion carried
by the following vote: Aye — Cremer, Ahlvin, Golombeski and McCoy; Nay — None.
DOCKET: 44-19 Special Exception (Tabled)
Applicant: Michael Gansemer
Address: 1790 Garfield Avenue
Proposal: To store a vehicle 0' from front and side property lines, where 10'
and 3' minimum required respectively, in an R-2A Alternate Two-
Family Residential zoning district.
Michael Gansemer, 1790 Garfield Avenue said he would like to park a vehicle in front of
his house and maintain access to his garage. He said he has no access to his rear yard.
Board Members discussed the proposed pad location noting that it differed from the
original request. They asked the applicant if he would like to table his request until the
next meeting to clarify the exact location of the storage space. The applicant agreed.
Motion by McCoy, seconded by Golembeski, to table the Special Exception at the
applicanYs request. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Cremer, Ahlvin,
Golombeski and McCoy; Nay — None.
DOCKET: 47-19 Special Exception (Tabled)
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 24, 2019
Page 2
Applicant: Craig & Nancy Pape
Address: 2653 Broadway
Proposal: To place an 8' x 16' shed 0' from the front property line, where 20'
minimum is required, in an R-1 Single-Family Residential zoning
district.
Craig Pape, 2653 Broadway Street, said that he initially wanted to leave the storage
shed at its current position, but he said he had reconsidered and decided to move the
shed back 5' and add some screening vegetation on the street side of the building. He
said that this will leave him an adequate side yard and not affect the stormwater
drainage through his property. He said he would add faux windows on the side of the
building and paint it to match his house. No one spoke in opposition of his request.
Staff Member Schrobilgen discussed the memo noting the changes from the original
proposal. He said that after the shed is relocated it will be 2' from the front property line
along Greeley Street. He said the shed at this location would have limited impact on
public safety, however, it may be somewhat out of character with the neighborhood. He
noted the diagram that was submitted with the application showing the repositioned
shed.
Board Chair McCoy and Board Member Ahlvin said that they felt the shed at its current
location stood out and was somewhat out of character with the neighborhood. Board
Member Cremer said he appreciated that the applicant had moved the shed off the
right-of-way and that he spoke with his neighbors and had proposed screening. Board
Member Ahlvin said that the applicant had the option to table his request and wait for a
full board to increase his chances of three positive votes. Board Chair McCoy offered
the applicant several options, but Mr. Pape said that he would like to go ahead with the
vote.
Motion by McCoy, seconded by Ahlvin, to approve the Special Exception request
as submitted. Motion failed by the following vote: Aye — Cremer and Golombeski; Nay
— Ahlvin and McCoy. Motion failed for the lack of three affirmative votes. Board Member
Ahlvin and McCoy cited criteria B and E regarding their decision.
DOCKET: 49-19 Conditional Use Permit (Tabled)
Applicant: Travis & Keisha Bruns
Address: 705 Caledonia Place
Proposal: To open a tourist home as a conditional use in an R-2A Alternate
Two-Family Residential zoning district.
Keisha Bruns, 703 and 705 Caledonia Street, said that her building has two units and
an attic on the third level. She said that her intention is to create a tourist home in an
effort to fully utilize the building. She said that under current housing regulations ten
people could reside in the upper unit and if a partition wall was added twelve people
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 24, 2019
Page 3
could use the space.
Staff Member Hemenway noted that the Board had heard this case last month and
asked to table the request in an effort to clarify the amount of people that would occupy
the tourist home. He said that the property is zoned R-2A which allows a maximum of
two units. He said that there is one unit on the first floor and that the second unit
includes a third floor attic space. He said the applicanYs intent is to combine the second
and third floors into a single unit to accommodate the tourist home. He said that City
Housing has indicated that the second unit could accommodate up to 10 people.
Staff Member Hemenway said that, although a tourist home may generate some
additional demand on parking and generate more traffic and noise, it will generally be
occupied seasonally and on weekends, which may lessen the impact on the
neighborhood. He said that a disadvantage may be the presence of unfamiliar people in
the neighborhood and increased potential for demand on parking and noise and activity
sometimes late into the evening. He said that the Board has the option to limit the
number of guests if they feel that would reduce the potential impacts.
Board Members and the applicant discussed the request. The applicant said she would
like to market the unit for 12 people. Board Members discussed the request and felt it
was appropriate if the occupancy was limited to 12 persons.
Motion by McCoy, seconded by Golombeski, to approve the request to open a tourist
home as a Conditional Use with the condition there be a maximum of 12 guests at any
one time. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Cremer, Ahlvin, McCoy and
Golombeski; Nay — None.
DOCKET: 50-19 Special Exception
Applicant: Mark Gudenkauf Construction, Inc.
Address: 2140 South Bend Circle
Proposal: To build a single-family residence 100' from the front property
line, where 50' maximum is permitted and 34' in height, where 30'
maximum permitted, in an R-3 Moderate Density Multi-Family
zoning district.
Mark Gudenkauf, 17417 Castle Woods Lane, said that he represents the applicant. He
said their intent is to build a single-family home on two abutting lots. He said that the
sanitary sewer that bisected the property has been relocated and that placing the house
100' back would enable the applicant to take advantage of more level topography in the
center of the lot. He said there is a fire hydrant located at the corner of the lot. He said
that the house would be 34' in height.
Staff Member Hemenway detailed the staff report. He said that the intention of the 50'
maximum setback is to protect the privacy from the back yards of adjacent properties
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 24, 2019
Page 4
and to also allow for fire access. He said that the fire department generally reviews
these requests to make sure there is a hydrant close by and that driveway access would
be adequate to accommodate their trucks. He said that the subject property is a
relatively large triangular shaped lot and that the proposed residence would be located
very far from the rear of houses on the adjacent properties. He said that a fire hydrant
abuts the property and that the fire department would have to approve the driveway
access.
Board Member Golombeski asked if the house elevation was above or below the street
grade. Mr. Gudenkauf said the base of the house would be approximately 4' above
street grade.
Board Members discussed the request and felt that as house would be built well away
from adjacent properties it should have very limited impact.
Motion by Cremer, seconded by Ahlvin, to approve the Special Exception request as
submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Cremer, Ahlvin, Golombeski and
McCoy; Nay — None.
DOCKET: 51-19 Special Exception
Applicant: Lisa Cox & Sid Turner
Address: 2110 Coates Street
Proposal: To build a 20' x 50' detached garage and 20' in height, where 15'
maximum is permitted, and for a total of 1920 sq. ft. of detached
accessory structures, where 1 ,000 sq. ft. maximum is permitted,
in an R-1 Single-Family Residential zoning district.
Sid Turner, 2110 Coates Street, said that he represents Lisa Cox and himself. He said
they would like to build a 20' x 50' detached garage with 15' eaves so they can store a
camper. He said that the back of the property drops off which he said should somewhat
diminish the view of the increased building height.
Staff Member Schrobilgen outlined the staff report. He noted that there were three
detached accessory structures on the site that totaled 1 ,920 square feet of area. He
said that the height of the garage will be less prominent because of the site topography.
He said that the proposed garage will not impact the view from adjacent properties,
impact public safety or affect the value of the property.
Board Chair McCoy asked about the building height and the lot coverage area. Board
Member Golombeski asked about the height of the existing garage structure. Board
Members said that they felt that the lot is large enough that the garage would not be out
of scale with the adjacent properties. Board Member Ahlvin noted that there is a large
detached building on the adjacent property.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 24, 2019
Page 5
Board Members discussed the request and felt it was appropriate.
Motion by McCoy, seconded by Cremer, to approve the Special Exception request with
the condition that stormwater be directed away from the adjacent residential property.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Cremer, Ahlvin and Golombeski; Nay —
McCoy siting criteria B.
DOCKET: 52-19 Special Exception
Applicant: Aaron & Cori Burbach
Address: 1795 Loras Boulevard
Proposal: To remove an existing garage and replace it with a 22' x 38'
detached garage 1 ' from the north side property line, where 6'
minimum required, in an R-1 Single-Family Residential zoning
district.
Cori Burbach, 1795 Loras Boulevard, said that the garage that will be replaced is not
structurally sound. She said the new garage will be 8' deeper than the existing garage,
but the same width. She said that she spoke with the neighbors and they supported her
request. She said that the property line is well established and that she will manage
stormwater from the roof of the structure.
Staff Member Hemenway detailed the staff report. He said that the garage will be set
approximately on the same foot print, but 8' deeper, than the original structure. He said
that the garage expansion area will extend into a required setback and; therefore,
require the approval of a Special Exception. He said that the driveway will remain 20'
deep and the garage structure will not block the view for pedestrians, traffic or the
adjacent residential structure. He recommended that, if approved, a gutter be placed on
the north side of the garage and that the stormwater be directed away from the adjacent
property. He also recommended that the applicant clearly demonstrate the property line
location to the building official's satisfaction.
Motion by McCoy, seconded by Golombeski, to approve the Special Exception request
with the condition that 1) a gutter be placed on the north side of the garage, 2)
stormwater be directed away from the adjacent residential property, and 3) the applicant
establish the lot line to the building official's satisfaction or obtain a survey. Motion
carried by the following vote: Aye — Cremer, Ahlvin, Golombeski and McCoy; Nay —
None.
DOCKET: 53-19 Special Exception
Applicant: Rodger Weekley
Address: 380 E. 21 S� Street
Proposal: To build a deck 2' from the rear property line, where 10' is
required, and to cover 52°k of the lot with structure, 50°k
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 24, 2019
Page 6
maximum lot coverage is permitted, in an OR Office Residential
zoning district.
Rodger Weekley, 380 E. 21 S� Street, said that he would like to remove a small deck from
the front of his house and build a new one 2' from the rear property line at the back of
the lot.
Staff Member Schrobilgen outlined the request. He noted that the lot is relatively small
and that the house does not meet the required setbacks. He said that both the
setbacks and the lot coverage must be waived for the project to be approved. He said
that the proposed deck should have very little impact on public safety or the use and
value of the surrounding residential property. He recommended that the deck remain of
an open design.
Board Member Ahlvin asked at what level the deck would be placed. The applicant said
that the deck would be level with the first floor.
Board Members discussed the request and felt it was appropriate.
Motion by Cremer, seconded by Golembesk, to approve the Special Exception request
with the condition that the deck remain an open design. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye — Cremer, Ahlvin, Golombeski and McCoy; Nay — None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: None.
ITEMS FROM BOARD: None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by McCoy, seconded by Ahlvin, to adjourn the October 24,
2019 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —
Cremer, Ahlvin, Golombeski and McCoy; Nay — None
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Guy Hemenway, Assistant Planner Adopted