Minutes_Zoning Advisory Commission 3 7 12Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MINUTES
ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Aigler Auditorium
Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque
liANN I II I.
2007
PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Miller; Commissioners Ron Smith, Stephen Hardie,
Martha Christ, Tom Henschel and Eugene Bird Jr.; Staff Members Kyle Kritz
and Guy Hemenway.
ABSENT: Commissioner Patrick Norton.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.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: The minutes of the February 1, 2012 meeting were approved, unanimously, as
submitted.
ACTION ITEMIPRELIMINARY PLAT: Application of Joel Callahan, Callahan Construction
Inc., for approval of the Preliminary Plat of Brickyard Estates, located at the southwest
corner of Middle Road and Seippel Road.
Joel Callahan, 7629 Commerce Park, said that the subdivision represents an extension of
a residential development he has undertaken in Westbrook Estates, located across Seippel
Road to the east of the subject property. He said that the property will be developed for a
mix of single - family homes, two -unit townhouses, and multi - family buildings up to 6 units.
He said he would like to keep the cost of the units down to approximately $190,000.
Commissioner Bird asked about the size of the lots. Mr. Callahan said that they will be
comparable to those in Westbrook Subdivision.
Staff Member Kritz discussed the subdivision layout, street configuration, and noted that
the Fire Department has reviewed access to the property. He discussed street access and
storm water management for the proposed subdivision. He said that the proposed
accesses will be scrutinized in more detail during the final plat review process. He noted
the utility locations and proposed extensions. He said that the subdivision has been
configured so as to keep any of the residential lots from being located in the flood plain.
Minutes — Zoning Advisory Commission
March 7, 2012
Page 2
He discussed parkland, bike /hike and pedestrian access issues. He discussed the
sustainability measures Mr. Callahan is undertaking which, he said, includes solar
orientation for the lots, reduced street size, and use of the Green Building Code.
PLEASE NOTE: Commissioner Ron Smith entered the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Staff Member Kritz noted that, because of their reduced size, the width of pavement and
right -of -way have been asked to be waived.
Commissioner Henschel asked if a smaller parkway is unprecedented. Commissioner
Hardie asked staff to clarify why the street standards have to be waived. He said that he
thought that the standard would have been changed to reflect the UDC provisions for
reduced street and right -of -way with widths. Staff Member Kritz said that the pavement
and right -of -way standards are being reviewed and that the pavement standard may be
modified. Commissioner Hardie said that he is not necessarily in favor of the reduced
right -of -way or street widths.
Mr. Callahan said that he has worked with both the City Engineering and Fire Departments
to design the streets to be functional and to meet their needs. He said that he has agreed
to increase the cul -de -sac diameter to facilitate movement of City maintenance and fire
trucks. He said that the required street trees will be planted in the front yards of the
existing lots because of the reduced parkway area.
Commissioner Hardie said that covenants are difficult to enforce as they regard street trees
and required landscaping. Staff Member Kritz clarified the recommended recreational area
requirements.
Commissioners and staff discussed the potential improvements to Seippel Road and
Pennsylvania Avenue, which they said will include changing the road grade, driveway
accesses and the addition of shoulders and bike /hike paths.
Motion by Bird, seconded by Christ, to approve the Preliminary Plat of Brickyard Estates.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Smith, Christ, Henschel, Bird and Miller; Nay —
Hardie.
PUBLIC HEARINGIREZONING: Application of Joel Callahan, Callahan Construction, Inc.
to rezone property located at the southwest corner of Middle Road and Seippel Road from
CS Commercial Service & Wholesale District to R -1 Single - Family Residential District, R -2
Two - Family Residential District, and R -3 Moderate Density Multi- Family Residential District.
Joel Callahan, 7639 Commerce Park, said that his request represents a down zoning from
the existing CS district to accommodate single - family residences, side -by -side townhouses,
and condos. He said that the units will sell in the $200,000 range.
Minutes — Zoning Advisory Commission
March 7, 2012
Page 3
Staff Member Kritz outlined the request. He discussed the residential mix proposed for the
site, noting the bulk standards and uses proposed for each district. He said that the
Comprehensive Plan recommended mixed use residential for this area.
Commissioner Miller asked for clarification regarding utility extensions for the area. Staff
Member Kritz noted that utilities will be sized so that subsequent development can be
accommodated.
Commissioners said that the proposal was well thought out and commended Mr. Callahan.
Motion by Henschel, seconded by Christ, to approve the rezoning request, as submitted.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Smith, Hardie, Christ, Henschel, Bird and
Miller; Nay — None.
PUBLIC HEARINGIREZONING: Application of Par 5, LLP / Peg Hingtgen to rezone
property located at 1095 Cedar Cross Road from C -3c General Commercial District, with
conditions, to CS Commercial Service & Wholesale District.
Staff Member Hemenway noted that the applicant submitted a letter asking that the request
be tabled.
Motion by Christ, seconded by Henschel, to approve tabling the request to rezone. Motion
carried by the following vote: Aye — Hardie, Christ, Miller, Henschel and Bird; Nay — None;
Abstain — Smith.
PUBLIC HEARINGIAMEND ID INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT: Application of DeAnna
McCormick, Clarke University to amend the Clarke University ID Institutional District to
allow a science addition and new surface parking lot.
Brian Schultes stated that he is a facility manager for Clarke University. He noted that the
proposal is for a 40,000 square foot addition to the science building with laboratory space,
classrooms, and a new parking lot located across the street. He said that the existing pine
trees in close proximity to the parking lot will remain; however, the damaged locust trees
will be removed.
Steve Moismann, 1000 Clarke Drive, asked for clarification regarding the vicinity map
noting that it appeared as if there are a number of areas being rezoned. Staff Member
Kritz clarified that the areas indicated were included in the rezoning request, but just simply
delineated single -and multi - family districts adjacent to the campus. Mr. Moismann asked
how large the parking lot will be relative to the expansion. He said that he felt the fee
structure should be changed to encourage student parking.
Dan McDonald, Greater Dubuque Development Department, said he is in favor of the
proposed expansion. He said that Clarke University has been a wonderful neighbor and
Minutes — Zoning Advisory Commission
March 7, 2012
Page 4
have created quality development throughout the years. He said he feels that the
proposed addition and parking lot plans are well thought out.
Brian Schultes said that the school is reviewing permit fee structures in an effort to resolve
the issue of on- street parking so as to encourage students to utilize the campus lots.
Commissioners discussed the parking lot size, configuration and landscaping.
Staff Member Kritz detailed the proposed amendment, which he said included the building
addition and parking lot. He discussed the comprehensive parking lot survey that he
undertook over a three -week period noting the number and location of vehicles parked on
the street. He said that the access for the parking lot shifted per the recommendation of
the City Engineering Department.
The Commission commended Clarke University for its development and the stewardship of
their property.
Motion by Christ, seconded by Bird, to approve the request. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye — Smith, Hardie, Christ, Norton, Bird and Miller; Nay — None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Mr. Hardie asked that staff consider trying to avoid conflicts with the City Council meetings
in the future. Staff Member Kritz said that he will take that under advisement.
Commissioners Bird and Hardie recommended that applicants for significant projects, such
as Clarke University, provide more visual materials and more robust presentations for both
the Commission and public. They said that renderings, elevations and site plans, and a
detailed summary of the proposed development would help both the Commission and
members of the audience to better understand and visualize the proposed development.
Staff Member Kritz said that it may be possible to alter the application to encourage
applicants to provide more materials and a formal presentation.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle L. Kritz, Associate Planner Adopted