Minutes_Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 11 16 11Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
1101
2007
MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Jim Prochaska; Commissioners Alan Vincent,
Richard Van Iten, John Pregler, Charles Winterwood, Chad Darter and Craig Beytien.
Commissioners Excused: None.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens, David Johnson and Aggie Tauke.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Prochaska at 5:30
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 Vincent, seconded by Darter, to approve the minutes of
September 21, 2011 as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Vincent,
Prochaska, Van Iten, Pregler, Darter, and Winterwood; Nay — None; Abstain - Beytien.
PUBLIC MEETING: Input on Dubuque Regional Comprehensive Plan: Chairperson
Prochaska opened the public input session of the meeting. Dan Fox, ECIA
Transportation Planner, presented the Dubuque County Regional Smart Plan and Land
Use Chapter. He reviewed the background and progress to date. He reviewed the
legislative requirements of the plan, noting the Smart Planning Principles and Elements.
He discussed the public input process and issues addressed in the draft chapters of the
Plan. Mr. Fox discussed in detail the draft Land Use Chapter. He explained what land
use plans do and noted common land use issues. He reviewed goals and objectives of
the land use chapter and stated they largely reflect the Smart Planning Principles.
Mr. Fox reviewed residential development forecasts and land needs. Commissioner
Beytien questioned the approximate 18,000 additional people forecasted to live in
Dubuque by the year 2040. Mr. Fox noted that population projections are an art form
and not a science, and they oftentimes reflect assumptions. He explained the
assumption in the Dubuque population projection is that recent City efforts, such as IBM
and Millwork District, will turn the current flat population trend upward. Commissioner
Beytien noted the school district's recent projection is lower than ECIA's.
Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
November 16, 2011
Page 2
Commissioner Van Iten discussed the vacant developable land map and noted smart
land use planning would encourage and provide incentives for development in preferred
areas that can potentially be developed. Commissioner Prochaska questioned if
developers and contractors have been involved in the public input sessions for the
communities participating in the regional Smart Plan. Mr. Fox noted a number of
developers attended the Peosta public input session. Commissioner Beytien suggested
approaching the Dubuque Homebuilders Association.
The Commissioner discussed the role of the Airport in both attracting and detracting
potential development. Mr. Fox reviewed the level of service for roads throughout
Dubuque anticipated for the year 2040. He noted the impact on future traffic volumes
on the west end of Dubuque due to projected development. He explained the plan
supports encouraging development in the downtown and urban areas in an effort to
lower future costs for road improvements. Staff Member Carstens noted that
infrastructure improvements and provision of other modes of transportation as well as
attention to how roadways are designed also improves the level of service. She
explained the Dubuque Smart Planning Consortium promotes compact and contiguous
development. Mr. Fox reviewed the development criteria and the overlay analysis that
was performed. He explained the overlay analysis ranked land suitability for
development based on the development criteria.
The Commission reviewed the map of land suitability for development. Commissioner
Beytien noted the Dubuque Community School District strategic plan is due early in
January 2012, and a draft of the facilities plan is due in approximately one month. He
noted money is available for infrastructure improvements and suggested the
Consortium consider the planning efforts in the Dubuque Regional Smart Plan.
Mr. Fox invited the Commission and public to participate in a visioning process for
Dubuque. He requested the Commission write down what they like best about
Dubuque as well as the top three items they would like to see in the community. The
Commission discussed their thoughts, noting they appreciated Dubuque's diversity and
cultural efforts, beauty of the region, intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships,
uniqueness, and location. The Commission discussed some of the things they would
like to see accomplished in the community. Commissioner Beytien noted he would like
to see a community recreation center with an aquatic park. Commissioner Pregler
suggested more waterfront opportunities, activities, and availability. He noted the
numerous opportunities to participate in festivals and events in the summer; however,
there are very few opportunities for activities in the winter months. Commissioner
Winterwood recommended more hike and bike trails as well as better access.
Commissioner Van Iten would like to see traffic issues addressed and improved with
special emphasis on Dubuque's major corridors and future roundabouts.
Jim Gonyier, 935 Oxford Street, shared his thoughts with the Commission and Mr. Fox.
He stated his favorite thing about Dubuque is the small town feel as well as the historic
character and bluffs. He reviewed the things he would like to see accomplished in the
Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
November 16, 2011
Page 3
community, noting promoting Dubuque hike /bike trails within the city as well as
connecting those trails at a neighborhood level. He explained he would like to see
existing speed limits enforced better, especially in the Hilltop Neighborhood along
University Avenue. He noted he would also like regulations for development along the
bluffs to assure proper scale and design before it's too late.
The Commission and Mr. Gonyier participated in the land use plan map exercise. They
discussed the need to locate an additional fire station on the south end of town as well
as other public facilities such as new schools and school redevelopment.
Chairperson Prochaska closed the public input session on the Dubuque Regional
Comprehensive Plan.
ACTION ITEMS
Old Main Urban Revitalization Area Plan Amendment: Staff Member Tauke reviewed
the Old Main Urban Revitalization Area Plan and benefits. She noted the amendment
will reduce the required eligible percentage of residential area in a property from 100%
to 75% in order to qualify for tax exemptions. She explained that currently the Old Main
Urban Revitalization Plan requires 100% of the area of the building to be used for
residential use to receive the property tax exemption for eligible improvements. She
noted the Old Main Urban Revitalization Area is the only urban revitalization area in the
city of Dubuque that requires 100% of the area to be dedicated to residential use rather
than 75% as is required elsewhere. She noted amending the required area would
encourage redevelopment in the Old Main Urban Revitalization Area. She reviewed the
boundaries and noted they are largely the same as the Old Main Historic District. The
Commission discussed that other property owners may benefit from the amendment as
long as they have at least 75% of their interior dedicated to residential uses. She
reviewed scenarios in which this could happen. She explained that the amendment to
allow 75% of residential area will comply with state regulations, noting the state
minimum is also 75 %.
The Commission and staff reviewed the urban revitalization program and urban renewal
program and their differences. The Commission questioned whether the long term
benefits of these up -front incentives are tracked. Staff explained various City and
County offices track the abatements and tax increments. Commissioner Van Iten noted
the benefits of the Urban Renewal and Urban Revitalization Programs. He explained
the importance of communicating to Dubuque residents the measurable impacts of the
plans and the net gains from the tax abatements.
Motion by Winterwood, seconded by Darter, to recommend approval of the Old Main
Urban Revitalization Plan Amendment, finding it is consistent with the City of Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Vincent, Prochaska,
Van !ten, Pregler, Darter, Winterwood, and Beytien; Nay — None.
Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
November 16, 2011
Page 4
Smart Planning Consortium: Staff Member Carstens updated the Commission on the
progress of the Dubuque Regional Smart Plan. The Commission discussed the
housing goals and objectives of the regional plan.
The Commission recommended the consortium consider encouraging energy efficient
building codes as a separate objective under Goal #1.
The Commission recommended radon abatement be added to the list of changing
regulatory mandate examples for Objective 8.4. The Commission noted radon is the
second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking and radon is an issue within the
Dubuque region.
The Commission requested clarification on Objective 1.1 regarding minimum housing
quality standards. The Commission did not understand how the communities would
ensure that rental housing would exceed housing standards and Code requirements.
Staff Member Carstens noted that was a recommendation by the City of Dubuque
Housing and Community Development Director David Harris. She explained that Mr.
Harris believed the region should advocate to do more than simply meet the minimum
standards; rather, they should exceed those standards. The Commission supported this
objective, and requested that Mr. Harris provide specific recommendations on how
communities, including Dubuque, can exceed minimum housing standards and codes.
The Commission recommended an additional objective under Goal #4 to provide
financial planning for homeownership to ensure that low /moderate income households
have the wherewithal to be successful.
The Commission noted a recent article in the Telegraph Herald which reported that
local non - profit agencies are now beginning to require proof of residency prior to some
services being provided. The Commission noted that much of the crime reported in
Dubuque is from people without a local address. The Commission recommended Goal
#6 include a provision that assistance programs require proof of Dubuque County
residency.
The Commission recommended the consortium consider an additional objective under
Goal #11 to work with public and private utilities to ensure that Internet broadband is
accessible.
The Commission noted that goals #9 and #10 as well as their supporting objectives
could fit under Goal #12. The Commission recommended the Consortium consider
consolidating Goals #9, #10 and #12.
The Commission noted that the state no longer licenses intermediate care facilities for
the mentally retarded and there has been a general de- institutionalization for special
needs populations. The Commission discussed the importance of providing
opportunities for special needs populations as the services formerly provided by these
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November 16, 2011
Page 5
institutions are now being provided in residential neighborhoods. The Commission
recommended an additional objective to Goal #6 which would remove regulatory
barriers to housing for special needs populations.
The Commission recommended Objective 6.4 separate elderly persons from persons
with disabilities, noting they are not one in the same. The Commission recommended
Objective 6.4 be amended to remove the words, "for the elderly and ".
The Commission recommended the Consortium consider combining Objective 9.4 and
10.1, noting they essentially say the same thing.
Update of Dubuque's 2008 Comprehensive Plan: Staff Member Carstens reviewed the
status of the plan update. She noted that staff has met with the City Manager and has
been discussing the format for the plan. She noted that staff and the City Manager are
working together on how best to incorporate sustainability and the Sustainable
Dubuque Plan into the City of Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. She reviewed
community outreach efforts have been discussed with the City Manager, and that will
appear on a future agenda.
LIAISON /SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Enterprise Zone Commission: No report.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Youth Indicator Report: The Commission noted that the 2011 Every Child /Every
Promise Youth Indicator Report is available. The Commission suggested the report be
considered during the update of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
Hempstead /Senior Activity Complex Public Hearing: Commissioner Beytien invited the
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission to participate in the Hempstead /Senior
Activity Complex public hearing scheduled for November 28, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at the
Forum.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
2012 Meeting Schedule: Staff Member Carstens noted the 2012 meeting schedule has
been finalized and requested the Commission contact staff with any issues or conflicts.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted