Minutes Long Range Plann 11 16 05
MINUTES
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
VVednesday,November16,2005
7:00 P.M. ~~~ ~U
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 VV. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT: Vice-Chairperson Charles VVinterwood; Commissioners Jim Prochaska,
Patricia Cline, and Mary Lynn Neumeister; Staff Members Laura Carstens
and David Johnson.
ABSENT: Commissioner Rick Stein.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 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 Cline, seconded by Prochaska, to approve the minutes of the
September 21,2005 meeting as submitted, passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEM:
Comcrehensive Plan Ucdate: The Commission discussed the process used to create the
1995 Comprehensive Plan and 2002 Comprehensive Plan Update. Staff Member
Carstens explained the process incorporated community indicators for success. She
explained workshops involving community stakeholders were conducted to help identify
needs within the City. She also reviewed the process used to update the Land Use Map.
The Commission agreed to conduct community stakeholder meetings in January 2006 to
begin the Comprehensive Plan Update.
The Commission questioned how the Envision 2010 process relates to the update of the
Comprehensive Plan. Staff Member Carstens explained the Envision process is much
more specific in scope; however, there are concepts and ideas which would lend to the
Comprehensive Plan Update.
Consensus of the Commissioners was for Staff to have the updated list of key
stakeholders, the updated numbers for the community indicators, and the process outlined
with dates, times, and locations for commission review and approval at the December.
LIAISON/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Enterorise Zone Commission: No report
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Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
November 16, 2005
Page 2
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Kellv's Bluff PUD - is it consistent with the Comprehensive Plan: Vice-Chairperson
Winterwood said he has asked to have this item on the agenda. Staff Member Carstens
provided information on the Kelly's Bluff PUD (Planned Unit Development) and noted that
the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has no review authority for rezonings.
Commissioners discussed the appropriateness of the proposed development within the
context of the surrounding area. Commissioner Neumeister generally felt that the
development would be inconsistent with surrounding historical structures. Commissioner
Cline stated there are a number of structures in proximity of the proposed development
that are not historical. Commissioners Cline and Neumeister specifically discussed the
hospital and 1960s homes located on the bluff.
Commissioner Neumeister and Vice-Chairperson Winterwood expressed concem that the
scale of the proposed development was too much for the size of adjacent housing. Vice-
Chairperson Winterwood was also concerned for the traffic impact the proposed
development would have on neighboring streets.
Several Commissioners agreed the development, as proposed, would be more
appropriately located in the Port of Dubuque. Commissioners discussed the
development's scale and whether the architecture is better suited for the type of
development encouraged in the Port. Commissioner Neumeister stated that the size and
scale of the development could be increased from what is proposed if located in the Port of
Dubuque, where it could be bigger and taller.
Vice-Chairperson Winterwood provided his review of the proposed Kelly's Bluff PUD
against the applicable Land Use and Urban Design Element's goals and objectives of
the 2002 Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. He stated that the proposed development
was consistent with objective 1.1 (Promote inclusive and economically integrated
neighborhoods that allow a diverse mix of residents and housing types) because it
would integrate with market rates. He felt the development would be somewhat
consistent with objective 1.2 (Provide a range of housing options throughout the
community). He stated the proposed Kelly's Bluff PUD would be inconsistent with
objective 4.5 (Limit development along bluff lines and protect scenic vistas).
Vice-Chairperson Winterwood felt the proposed development is not a City gateway and
would therefore be inconsistent with objective 5.1 (Define and enhance City gateways
and focal points to create a sense of place). He felt the development would be
inconsistent with objective 5.3 (Protect natural vistas from the clutter of inappropriate
physical development). Vice-Chairperson Winterwood also addressed objective 5.4
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
November 16, 2005
Page 3
(Promote quality in the design and construction of new public and private development);
however, no opinion was expressed.
Vice-Chairperson Winterwood stated the proposed development is not really consistent
with objective 6.1 (Promote a compatible mix of land uses that create a diversified
urban environment that mixes shopping, employment, recreation and residential
opportunities where appropriate) because the office building is no longer part of the
PUD. He felt the development would be consistent with objective 6.3 (Limit sprawl and
aggregate travel time through use of mixed use developments). He stated the
development would help eliminate sprawl.
Vice-Chairperson Winterwood stated the Kelly's Bluff PUD would be inconsistent with
objective 7.1 (Encourage redevelopment or adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized
buildings and sites) because St. Dominic's Villa has been demolished. He felt the
development would be consistent with objective 7.2 (Promote infill development, where
appropriate, to encourage more compact urban form and avoid needless and costly
sprawl). He stated the proposed development would be inconsistent with objective 7.3
(Promote redevelopment that maximizes existing infrastructure) because existing
structures were demolished; however, he felt it was also consistent because
infrastructure is readily available.
Vice-Chairperson Winterwood felt the proposed development is not sensitive to the
surrounding historic character and therefore is inconsistent with objective 9.1 (Enhance
the aesthetics of new and existing development -- design, landscaping, parking,
signage - with special sensitivity to the historic character and building materials found
in the community). He felt that the development would be better on the riverfront than
on the bluff. He stated, and other Commissioners agreed, that no determination could
be made regarding objective 9.2 (Avoid negative impacts on established development
and street system) since a traffic study had not been completed. He felt the proposed
development was inconsistent with objective 9.3 (Encourage environmentally
compatible and sensitive design that fits the development site). Vice-Chairperson
Winterwood felt there may be a market for the proposed development and would
therefore be consistent with objective 10.1 (Consider the community's regional setting
and economy when assessing the opportunities and constraints for land development)
Commissioner Cline felt if zoning and a City Ordinance for bluff development were in
place, it would be easier to guide developers and to enforce. She discussed the
proposed development's distance from historic districts with other Commissioners. She
also felt it was difficult to determine heights of the proposed development, and would
like the developer to provide some way to visualize the height, such as with a crane on
the bluff site.
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
November 16, 2005
Page 4
Motion by Neumeister, seconded by Prochaska, that the Kelly's Bluff PUD is consistent
with the 2002 Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. Motion failed by a vote of 4 to O.
Motion by Neumeister, seconded by Prochaska, that the Kelly's Bluff PUD is not consistent
with the 2002 Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. Motion passed by a vote of 4 to O.
Vice Chairperson Winterwood asked Staff to forward the Commission's position to the City
Council and the Zoning Advisory Commission.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Envision 2010: Staff Member Carstens reminded the Commission of the Envision Town
Meeting on November 1ih at the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. She explained
numerous sessions will be held to gain additional citizen input for City projects.
Elections: Staff Member Carstens informed the Commission that there are two applicants
for the two vacancies. Vice-Chairperson Winterwood asked that the elections be held in
January.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Adopted