Minutes Zoning Bd Adj 4 7 05
MINUTES
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
SPECIAL SESSION
Thursday,April7,2004
12:00 p.m.
City Hall Annex, Conference Room #1
1300 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Board Vice Chairperson Bill Gasper; Board Members Randy Klauer,
and Bill Gibbs; Staff Members Guy Hemenway and Wally Wernimont.
Chairperson Mike Ruden; Board Member Jim Urell.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying
the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m.
DOCKET 03-05: Application of Rick Droeske/Lange Sign, for a variance for property
located at 1855 Greyhound Park Drive to install a 75-foot high freestanding sign, 50 feet
maximum permitted, in a CR District.
Vice Chair Gasper described the procedure for meeting.
Brian Southwood, 3887 Hillcrest Road, presented the application to the Board. He
noted that the height of the sign would be 75 feet He discussed each of the five criteria
for granting a variance, stating that the Greyhound Park Facility suffered a hardship
because of the existing vegetation and topography. He noted the history of the
Greyhound Park, discussing the business's origins and the prior use of the island as the
City landfill. He stated that the property has sunk over the last several years. He stated
that the Dubuque Racing Association is a non-profit entity, and that the land being
utilized is public land. He stated that there are no other freestanding signs on the site.
He stated that the Greyhound Park benefits the entire community.
Staff Member Hemenway presented the staff report. He noted that the Planning
Services Department received a petition and letter in opposition to the proposed
signage. He distributed photographs and topographic maps of the site.
Board Members reviewed the photographs and maps. They discussed the difference in
the grade level between the dog track parking lot and the directly adjacent elevated
freeway. They noted that there is an approximately 22-23 foot grade change between
both.
Staff Member Hemenway reviewed existing Greyhound Park signage, including the
directional signage provided along the freeway by the Iowa Department of
Transportation and Wayfinding signage provided on city streets by the City of Dubuque.
Minutes - Zoning Board of Adjustment
April 7, 2005
Page 2
He also noted that the sign will be visible from the adjacent Heron Pond wetlands,
wetlands trail, and Riverview Park.
Board Members discussed the potential additional signage for the adjacent hotel and
restaurant.
Staff Member Hemenway stated that each premises is allowed a single freestanding
sign, and that the hotel, restaurant and dog track are located on one premise. He
stated that the proposed 750 square foot freestanding sign will consume all of the
square footage permitted for a single premise in a CR district.
Board Member Klauer asked if there was a separation requirement for freestanding
signs. Staff Member Hemenway stated that in a CR district, there is no separation
requirement between adjacent properties, but that only one sign is permitted per each
premises.
Rick Droeske, of the Lange Sign Group, stated that the sign structure would incorporate
a 19' by 8' message center sign. He stated that the footings were designed to handle
the wind load for a 750 square foot structure and that it would not be advisable to
increase the sign area without modifying the footing.
Board Member Gibbs said that he has concerns with the potential for additional signage
on the site. Board Member Klauer noted that the lot could be subdivided, which would
permit an additional freestanding sign for the hotel and restaurant.
Board Members reviewed the criteria for granting a variance. Board Members agreed
that there is a hardship due to the difference in topography between the elevated
freeway, to which the sign is oriented, and the grade of the parking lot. Board Members
also noted that the existing vegetation blocks a 50' high sign.
Motion by Gibbs, seconded by Klauer, to approve the variance request as submitted.
Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Klauer, Gibbs and Gasper; Nay-
None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Guy Hemenway, Assistant Planner
Date