Minutes_Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 7 20 11Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Jim Prochaska; Commissioners Alan Vincent,
Richard Van Iten, John Pregler, Chad Darter and Charles Winterwood.
Commissioners Excused: None.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens, David Heiar and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Prochaska at 5:31
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 Van Iten, seconded by Darter, to approve the minutes of June 23,
2011, as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Vincent, Prochaska, Van
Iten, Pregler, Darter and Winterwood; Nay — None.
ACTION ITEMS
Lake Ridge Urban Renewal Plan: David Heiar, Economic Development Director, reviewed
the proposal by Rose Development to construct affordable assisted - living housing units.
He noted the cost savings in monthly fees for low to moderate income residents. He
explained the need for this type of housing in Dubuque.
Commissioners reviewed the proposal, and questioned the use of urban renewal and TIF
in this area of town. Staff Member Heiar explained that urban renewal districts can be
created for slum and blight as well as economic development, which is the case for this
project. He noted the urban renewal district would only be in place for up to 20 years.
Commissioners asked about the tools available in the district. Staff Member Heiar
reviewed TIF will be the principal tool. Commissioners asked about the area impacted by
the district. Staff Member Heiar clarified the district boundaries.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed the Comprehensive Plan goal for a range of housing
options throughout the city. She noted that the Zoning Advisory Commission and City
Council reviewed the development with respect to access to city utilities and transit, and
impact on adjacent land uses.
Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
July 20, 2011
Commissioners asked about the type of residents. Staff Member Heiar explained these
are primarily for seniors, but also allow a percentage of persons with disabilities who are
not seniors. Commissioners asked the type of construction, including use of wood. Staff
Member Heiar noted the buildings would meet all City codes, including Fire Code and use
of sprinklers. Commissioners asked about the developer and any local investors. Staff
Member Heiar noted Rose Development has done a number of similar projects in Iowa, but
does not have any local investors..
Motion by Van Iten, seconded by Vincent, to endorse the recommendation by David Heiar,
Economic Development Director, to approve the Lake Ridge Urban Renewal District.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Vincent, Prochaska, Van Iten, Pregler, Darter
and Winterwood; Nay — None.
Smart Planning Consortium: Staff Member Johnson reviewed the Smart Planning
Consortium's discussion of the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
recommendations to make Education a separate element, encouraging car pools and use
of other transportation modes through employee incentives, and identifying
pedestrian /vehicle conflicts. He noted the Smart Planning Consortium felt Education is
included in Community Facilities adequately without creating a separate element, and is in
closer conformance to the Iowa Smart Planning Law.
The Commission discussed the Community Facilities objective regarding avoiding
construction of community facilities in the 100 -year floodplain where feasible. Staff
explained where and when this might occur.
There were no comments on the Transportation Chapter.
Commissioners discussed parking lots in connection with Objective 7.3 on page 6 of the
Watershed Management chapter. They discussed benefits and drawbacks of establishing
maximum parking requirements as an additional tool for reducing impervious area for
commercial developments. The City's UDC regulation for big box retail uses was cited as
an example.
Motion by Vincent, seconded by Winterwood, to recommend amending Objective 7.3 to
include, "establish maximum parking area requirements." Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye — Vincent, Prochaska, Van Iten, Pregler, Darter and Winterwood; Nay — None.
Commissioners discussed the amount of concrete being installed for new single - family
homes, with three -car garages, and requested data for several new subdivisions and older
subdivisions for comparison, as well as how storm water fees are calculated for single -
family homes. Commissioners discussed possible regulatory, development, and
educational means to reduce the amount of concrete such as aeration. Staff Member
Carstens reviewed the UDC subdivision scorecard briefly.
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Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
July 20, 2011
Commissioners discussed what a regional stormwater management facility might be. Staff
Member Carstens noted the Carter Road, 32nd Street, and 16th Street detention basins are
examples.
Commissioners commended the Smart Planning Consortium on an ambitious effort that is
proceeding very well.
Update of Dubuque's 2008 Comprehensive Plan: Staff Member Johnson reviewed the
Planning Services staff's recommended revisions to the , outline for the 2008
Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioners discussed stronger involvement by the public and private school systems,
as well as higher education, in the City's planning effort. Commissioners discussed
building on existing efforts, such as Safe Routes to School, Park and Recreation
programming and facilities, and IBM.
Commissioners discussed the importance of getting the people involved in Education,
engaged in community efforts to grow and improve continually, and to help them
understand the importance of a quality education.
Commissioners asked for information on the Safe Community Task Force's 60
recommendations and the actions taken on them. Commissioners asked that a Safe
Community Task Force representative be available when the Public Safety Element of the
Comprehensive Plan is discussed during the update process.
LIAISON /SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Enterprise Zone Commission: No report.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Media Coverage: Commissioners discussed media coverage for the community, noting
that less than 50% of the households have access to City Channel 8. Commissioners
discussed the Mediacom franchise and whether other TV providers can carry City Channel
8.
Motion to send a letter to the City Council, noting that a significant number of people do not
have access to City Channel 8, and suggest they look into how widespread this lack of
coverage is, and what they can do to increase the reach of City Channel 8, because with
the forthcoming update of the Comprehensive Plan, the Long Range Planning Advisory
Commission expects to have an expansive community engagement process in which City
Channel 8 can play a key role. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Vincent,
Prochaska, Van Iten, Pregler, Darter and Winterwood; Nay — None.
Electronic Packets: Commissioners discussed the possibility of electronic packets. Staff
will research and report back.
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Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
July 20, 2011
Commission Vacancy: Commissioners discussed advertising and recruitment for the
vacant position and gender balance.
Motion by Winterwood, seconded by Van Iten, for Chairperson to send a letter to women's
organizations in an attempt to recruit a new commissioner. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye — Vincent, Prochaska, Van Iten, Pregler, Darter and Winterwood; Nay — None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted
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