Minutes_Zoning Advisory Commission 4 4 12Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MINUTES
ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
600 p m
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
City Council Chamber
350 W 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque
II
2007
PRESENT Chairperson Charles Miller, Commissioners Ron Smith, Stephen Hardie,
Martha Christ, Patrick Norton, Tom Henschel, Eugene Bird, Jr, Staff
Members Guy Hemenway and Kyle Kritz
ABSENT None
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6 00 p m
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE Staff presented an Affidavit of Complianceverifying that
the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law
MINUTES The minutes of the March 7, 2012 meeting were approved as modified
PUBLIC HEARINGIREZONING Application of Mike Portzen 1 Holy Spirit Parish to rezone
property located at 1700 Block of Rhomberg Avenue from R -2A Two - Family Residential
District to R -4 Multi - Family Residential District
Mary Lou Baal, representing Holy Spirit Parish, reviewed the proposed sale of the subject
property, noting that the project included demolition of the existing school building and
expansion of the church's parking lot She said she feltthat redevelopment of the church's
vacant lot for townhomes would be compatible with the adjacent residential development
and a benefit to the area in general
Brian Simon, 1825 Garfield, asked if the property transaction had been concluded He
asked if the proposed housing would be rentals or Section 8
Ms Baal said that the property transaction was complete, contingent upon an approved
rezoning She said that Mr Portzen intends to build townhomes that, if not sold in a
reasonable timeframe, could be rented She said that parking would be located atthe rear
of the structures and that the buildings would be two stories
Commissioner Smith asked if the existing two residences at the southwest corner of the
property would remain Ms Baal said that Mr Portzen intends to keep them, butthey may
be removed eventually for the development
Minutes — Zoning Advisory Commission
April 4, 2012
Page 2
Staff Member Hemenway reviewed the staff report, noting that surrounding zoning and
land use, residential density, traffic generation and required off - street parking. He noted
that the proposed buildings would be separated by required setbacks and right -of -way from
the existing residences surrounding the subject property.
Commissioner Smith asked if each unit would have a garage. Ms. Baal said that the units
would likely be two or three bedrooms with one or two garage spaces each. Commissioner
Smith asked about the number of residences along the frontages. Ms. Baal said that there
would be 18 dwelling units per frontage.
Commissioner Bird asked if the applicant had provided renderings of the proposed
development. Commissioner Hardie said that, as this is a standard rezoning to R -4 and
not a PUD, renderings are not required. Commissioner Bird said that, as there is a
question of density for this development, renderings would be helpful by enabling the
Commission to make an informed decision.
Commissioners discussed the density and design of the proposed development.
Commissioner Norton asked what the maximum number of dwelling units that would be
allowed under current zoning. Staff said approximately 45 would be allowed under the
current R -2A zoning.
The applicant, Mike Portzen, arrived at 6:25 p.m. He informed the Commission that the
buildings would consist of two -story townhomes and that he would construct 29 units to
begin with, with the project consisting of two six -unit buildings and two eight -unit buildings.
Commissioner Hardie asked if the design would be similar to the development Mr. Portzen
had undertaken on Wingate Drive. Mr. Portzen said yes, however, the details on the roof
and porches would be modified. Commissioner Smith questioned the garages, and Mr.
Portzen said that garages would be available for each dwelling unit along with a paved
parking pad and that parking would be accessed off of the alley.
Commissioners discussed the request and felt it was appropriate.
Motion by Bird, seconded by Christ, to approve the rezoning as submitted. Motion was
approved by the following vote: Aye — Smith, Hardie, Christ, Norton, Henschel, Bird and
Miller; Nay —None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle L. Kritz, Associate Planner Adopted