Minutes Planning Commi 6 18 03 MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE
JOINT CITY/COUNTY PLANNING COMMITTEE
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
June 18, 2003
11:00 a.m.
Conference Room ~t2
City Hall Annex, 2n~ Floor
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Chairperson Mary Lynn Neumeister, Committee Members Jim Waller, Jim
Gonyier, Gordon Mills, Ann Michalski, Anna O'Shea, Dave Rusk, and
Chades Winterwood; Staff Member Laura Carstens.
Committee Members John Goodmann and Mike Portzen; Staff Member
Elizabeth Conlon.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Neumeister at
11:06 a.m.
AFFIDAVIT 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 Anna O'Shea, seconded by Chades Winterwood to approve the
minutes from the May 19, 2003 with corrections. Motion carded unanimously.
ACTION ~EM:
Draft Fdn,qe Area A,qreement: Staff Member Carstens noted that the access principles
used by the City and County had been provided as requested. The Committee
discussed the access principles used by the County. There were questions about the
County Subdivision Regulations in terms of entrance standards and definitions of
different types of public roads. Committee Members Anna O'Shea and Jim Waller
explained that there are other standards that the County actually uses, such as State-
defined standards and farm-to-market roads. Discussion followed of different
classifications based on funding, volume, etc. Questions arose regarding the
differences in definitions between County and City regulations.
Motion by Gordie Mills, seconded by Dave Rusk, to look at: (1) a map and matrix of
roads in the County within the two-mile fringe area and a matrix of the County
standards/definitions; (2) a map and matrix for roads in the City and a matrix of the City
standards and definitions, and (3) a comparison of County and City standards for roads
within the two mile fringe area. Motion carded unanimously.
The Commiftee decided that maps and comparisons of the City and County standards
would enable the group to understand and test access issues and determine what is the
best policy for different roads. Committee members noted that they will have to
determine how to keep changing standards up-to-date for the fdnge area development
agreement as development occurs.
Minutes -Joint City/County Planning Commiffee
June 18,2003
Page 2
The Committee then discussed speed limits, actual speeds, and sight distances for
access permits used in the County. County officials explained that City and County
speed limits are adjusted based on traffic, trucks, development adjacent, etc. The
Committee noted that the issue of too many curb cuts in both the City and the County
came up during the County Planning process.
Committee Members Jim Waller and Jim Gonyier explained that agricultural exemptions
for access and building control in the County are very extensive under State law, but are
less so in the City. They noted that agricultural exemptions would continue to apply
within the two extraterritorial jurisdiction under the fringe area policy agreement. They
added that farms are governed under state rules, until annexed or subdivided for a non-
agricultural use. Mr. Gonyier pointed out that annexation to the City allows more
regulation on farms, with the exception of a new state law concernin§ century farms.
Discussion followed concerning the differences in zoning regulations between the City
and County.
Motion by Ann Michalski, seconded by Gordie Mills, to include a statement that
agricultural exemption under State Code prevails over City or County regulations in
Section II.A. 1. The motion carried unanimously.
Committee Member Dave Rusk noted key points in the County Comprehensive Plan on
pages 55-56 contained issues of what this Committee is trying to do with this
agreement. He asked if this agreement helps address and accomplish these objectives.
Committee Members Jim Waller replied that he felt it was. He noted that with changes
in family farming and the lower quality of farmland in Dubuque County, the County has
standards to control the quality of subdivisions, but they are less restrictive than the City
standards (no sidewalks, no sewers, etc). He said the agreement is moving toward the
County's Comprehensive Plan goals and parts of this agreement have been revised by
City staff to meet County expectations. Committee Member Gordie Mills said the
agreement is a step forward, and while he would prefer a more restrictive document, he
acknowledges the need for the existing language. Committee Member Ann Michalski
said the agreement needs to be less restrictive and instead strongly encourage
developers to adhere to the guidelines. She added that in Dubuque County, there is not
a lot of good farmland or pastureland, the topography is difficult, and most of this has
been annexed into the City. Committee Member Jim Waller felt that the Joint
City/County Agreement is a step forward that people can live with and accept.
Committee Member Charles Winterwood suggested the Committee make the
agreement as restrictive as politically possible and tighten up access issues.
Discussion followed regarding storm water management (reference page 8 [9] and 6[5])
and where NPDES requirements now apply to all of the County. Consensus was that
County Engineer Mark Jobgen be asked to come to the July meeting to review access
management and storm water management standards used by the County.
Minutes -Joint City/County Planning Committee
June 18,2003
Page 3
The Committee then discussed whether developers should be required to submit a
concept plan. They also discussed adding smart growth incentives and development
guidelines in an addendum to share with developers. The consensus was to highlight
the words "may", "should", "could be', "can", and "encourage" versus "will be'.
"required', "shall" for the Committee to evaluate how restrictive we can make this
document, if we have a waiver section.
ITEMS FROM COMMITTEE: The next meeting will be held July 21st (or July 23ra if
there Is a conflict for Ann Michalski) at 11:00 a.m. Chairperson Neumeister reviewed
the agenda items for the July meeting would be:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Comparison of City and County roadway standards and development
Storm water management - City and County
Discussion on how restrictive language should be
Concept plans
Smart Growth incentivestguidelines in an addendum
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted