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IOWA
LEAGUE
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THE IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES PRESENTS:
ALL -STAR COMMUNITY AWARDS 20I I
THE PURPOSE
With the All -Star Community Awards program,
the Iowa League of Cities seeks to acknowledge
and encourage excellence in local government. The
program provides an opportunity for officials and
staff of member cities to receive recognition for their
superior and innovative efforts. In addition, the program
provides a means for sharing Iowa's best public service
ideas and demonstrates that those involved with local
government are progressive, caring and committed to
their communities.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Each member city of the League may submit only
one entry to the All -Star Community awards per year.
Entries must describe programs or projects successfully
operating or completed between January 1 and
December 31, 2010. Programs or projects eligible
for an All -Star Community Award include city service
improvements, quality of life enrichment, and local
government partnerships. Potential entries could include
diversity appreciation, urban renewal, neighborhood or
business development, historic preservation, sharing
of firefighting personnel or recreational facilities,
or improving the quality, quantity or efficiency of city
services. The League encourages communities of all
sizes to apply.
PREPARATION OF ENTRIES
Please submit only the application form, completed
as clearly and completely as possible. Entries will only
be eligible if the attached entry form is completed
and submitted by the due date. Entries will be judged
solely on the content submitted on the entry form. The
mayor and city clerk must sign the entry form. The
form is available online at www.iowaleague.org or by
contacting the League.
THE JUDGING
Entries are divided into three population categories;
less than 3,000, 3,000 -9,999 and more than 10,000.
Independent judges knowledgeable in local government
will evaluate each project. One winner will be chosen
from each population category.
The judges will look for each project's impact on
the community, including how it met the community's
needs, its value to the community, how many people it
affected and its longevity. Projects will also be judged on
originality, cost - effectiveness and innovation. Projects
involving collaboration between entities, such as a city -
county project or a partnership between a city and a
school district, could receive special recognition.
A separate panel of judges with knowledge in the area
of sustainability will have the opportunity to give special
recognition to a project for its efforts in sustainability.
THE PRIZE
The All -Star Community Award is an attractive, stand-
alone, star - shaped award suitable for display in your
city hall. Winning projects will be highlighted at the
League's 2011 Annual Conference & Exhibit. Winners
will also be featured in the League magazine, Cityscape,
and brought to the attention of local media. All entries
will be featured on the League's Web site in the Cities
in Action section, and are encouraged to participate in
the City Showcase at the League's Annual Conference &
Exhibit. More information on the showcase is available
at www.iowaleague.org.
ENTRY DEADLINE
Entries are due in the League office by Friday, April
8, 2011. Late entries will not be accepted. Email the
completed form to bethanyduncan @iowaleague.org
or send the completed form to:
Iowa League of Cities
ATTN: All -Star Community Awards
317 Sixth Avenue, Suite 800
Des Moines, IA 50309
The application is available online at www.iowaleague.
org. For more information about the program,
please call the League at (515) 244 -7282 or email
bethanyduncan @iowaleague.org.
A list of previous winners and more information is available in the Cities in Action section of www.iowaleague.org.
Entries will be judged solely on information from the application.
2011 ALL -STAR COMMUNITY AWARD APPLICATION
City: Dubuque
Contact name: Laura Carstens
Population: 57,637
Phone: 563.589.4210
Title: Planning Services Manager Email: Icarsten @cityofdubuque.org
Title of Project Unified Development Code
In a few sentences, give a summary of the project and why it was needed.
In November 2009, the City of Dubuque's new Unified Development Code (UDC) went into effect.
The UDC updates and consolidates zoning, subdivision, site development, historic preservation, and
sign regulations into a single city code. The Dubuque UDC incorporates text, photographs, drawings,
charts and diagrams for ease of use in an online illustrated version.
Concerns with the 1985 Zoning Ordinance included: difficult to use and interpret; not organized in an
"easy to access" form; inadequate graphics, charts, and illustrations; conflicting, unclear, outdated,
and /or confusing provisions; an "unwritten" need to reference other Code sections to fully comply.
The Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances didn't adequately address land use, historic preservation,
and urban design objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. They needed updating for: parking,
accessory uses, LID, signs, landscaping, street trees, outdoor storage, screening, and lighting.
Subdivision and site development regulations were extensively revised to promote sustainable
design, such as conservation design, solar access, and low- impact development measures. Access
for pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit as well as design guidelines for historic districts, the
downtown, and older neighborhoods also are now part of the UDC.
The intent of the Dubuque UDC is to guide the physical, economic and social development,
redevelopment and conservation of the community. The UDC protects and enhances the historic,
cultural and aesthetic resources that make Dubuque a unique, identifiable and vital community.
Project Funding and Execution:
Total Cost /Projected Cost of Project: $243,350 or rino cost
List where funding came from (grants, donations, city funds, etc.)
City Funds
Total time project took /projected to take for completion:
(to qualify project must be operating or completed between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010)
Start date
End date
or
Project is ongoing
Please use only this form for entry. All entries will be judged solely on this form.
continue. on next page
continued from previous page
Explain the specific role of your city in this project.
Development of the UDC incorporated citizen committees and City staff working with a consultant.
Throughout the process, the City sought and responded to input from a variety of stakeholders. The
UDC's development used a transparent, open process inviting comment from developers engineers,
architects, neighborhood and business associations, sign contractors and the general public.
City staff, principally in the Planning Services Department, were extensively involved in creating the
UDC. Planners researched, analyzed, revised, and drafted the UDC; sought input from citizen
committees, Boards and Commissions; produced graphics and illustrations; conducted open houses;
and made presentations before the Zoning Commission and City Council.
In a few sentences, what future impact will this project have on your community?
The UDC promotes smart growth and mixed use by allowing a diversity of commercial, recreational,
educational and residential uses throughout the city. UDC regulations accommodate development,
redevelopment and preservation through regulations, guidelines, standards, and alternatives.
Revised subdivision and site development regulations promote sustainable design. A tiered review
process for new development, redevelopment, and special development areas accommodates
different size projects and varying development patterns. Form -based design guidelines promote
compatible development in older neighborhoods.
Updated standards reduce excessive parking by eliminating downtown parking requirements,
allowing shared parking among uses, and requiring bicycle parking. Maximum parking and transit
accommodations are established for big box retail and shopping centers.
New uses promote sustainability measures by accommodating affordable and higher density
housing, the sale of locally - produced foods, and renewable energy.
Resources
Please list Web sites judges may reference if they seek additional information. Do NOT include
supplemental paper information. Only information on this form will be used in the judging pro-
cess.
For more information on the Dubuque UDC, contact the Planning Services Department at
planning @cityofdubuque.org or check it out online at www.cityofdubuque.org /udc
Signatures:
Mayor
City Clerk
Return this form by Friday, April 8, 2011
to the League office.
A iiirri
IOWA
LEAGUE
°f CITIES
Iowa League of Cities
Attn: All -Star Community Awards
317 Sixth Avenue, Suite 800
Des Moines, IA 50309
or
bethanyduncan@iowaleague.org
Please use only this form for entry. All entries will be judged solely on this form.
Dubuque Creates Sustainable Development Code
In 2009, the City of Dubuque's new Unified Development Code
(UDC) went into effect. The UDC updates and consolidates
zoning, subdivision, site development, historic preservation, and
sign regulations into a single city code. The Dubuque UDC
incorporates text, photographs, drawings, charts and diagrams
for ease of use in an online illustrated version.
The four -year process for developing the Dubuque UDC
incorporated three citizen advisory committees and an
interdisciplinary task force of City staff working with JEO
Consulting. The last 12 months of the process were devoted to
seeking and responding to input on the draft UDC from developers, engineers, architects,
neighborhood and business associations, sign contractors, City Boards and Commissions,
and the general public prior to City Council work sessions and public hearings.
Strenet
The Dubuque UDC incorporates sustainable design while meeting
smart growth objectives. Sustainable design is the expectation. While
traditional development is still allowed, it is now the exception. The
UDC received strong support from City officials and citizens alike.
This acceptance of sustainable design has continued through
implementation.
Subdivision and site development regulations were extensively
revised to promote sustainable design, such as conservation design,
solar access, and low- impact development measures. Access for
pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit as well as design guidelines
for historic districts, the downtown, and older neighborhoods also are now part of the UDC.
New subdivisions must achieve a minimum score of 40- points by utilizing sustainable
subdivision tools (see enclosed chart). The UDC has a residential density bonus for
conservation subdivisions.
The intent of the Dubuque UDC is to guide the
physical, economic and social development,
redevelopment and conservation of the
community. The UDC protects and enhances the
historic, cultural and aesthetic resources that make
Dubuque a unique, identifiable and vital
community.
The City of Dubuque hopes the UDC will serve as a model for other sustainable land
development codes in Iowa. For more information on the Dubuque UDC, contact the
Planning Services Department at planninq(a.cityofdubuque.org or check it out online at
www.cityofdubuque.org /udc
UDC Sustainable Subdivision Development Tools
The subdivider shall submit a preliminary plat and other written or graphic materials necessary to
demonstrate what sustainable subdivision tools will be incorporated into the proposed subdivision. New
subdivisions shall achieve a minimum score of 40 points by utilizing the following list of sustainable
subdivision development tools.
Conservation Subdivision: Development is clustered to optimize open space, preserve
natural features, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and minimize infrastructure
demands.
40
Solar Subdivision: Development includes 70% "solar lots" that have a minimum north-
south dimension of 75 feet and a front line orientation that is within 30 degrees of the true
east -west axis.
30
Cottage Design Subdivisions: Development reflects traditional neighborhood design,
with smaller Tots, reduced setbacks, narrower rights -of -way, smaller building footprints,
alleys and /or clustering.
30
The development incorporates walking /bike trails. These trails should be connected to the
development and trails outside the development to the greatest extent possible.
15
Permeable street pavement throughout the subdivision.
15
Complete street design throughout the subdivision.
15
Rain gardens required by covenant for at least 80% of lots throughout the subdivision.
10
Green Building Code compliance for 100% of dwelling units throughout the subdivision.
10
Green Building Code compliance for 50% of dwelling units throughout the subdivision.
5
Native and regionally appropriate trees and vegetation are preserved or planted which
limits turf grass, limits water demand, improves infiltration or filtration, and enhances the
natural environment. Such vegetation is phased so denuded areas are quickly vegetated.
Turf grass should not exceed 30% of the landscaped area.
5
Specify the planting of trees on private property to increase site shading and reduce
energy needs for houses. Place trees that lose their leaves in the fall on the south and
west sides of the house to provide shade to lower cooling costs. Evergreen trees planted
on the north and west sides protect against winter winds, which can help reduce heating
costs.
5
The development improvements innovative infiltration or filtration techniques, such as rain
gardens, bioswales, French drains, etc.
5
Parkway /street trees are planted at approximately 35 -foot intervals to reduce wind
speeds, help stabilize the soil, and improve air quality.
5
No curb or gutter on city streets with appropriate bioswales and sidewalks. The
development incorporates detention basins for property on -site stormwater management.
Retention basins can be used as an open water amenity feature for on -site storm water
management.
5
Use of any pavement that reduces the heat island effect throughout the subdivision, such
as light- colored concrete.
5
Other best management practices, as per City Planner or City Engineer
5