Minutes Zoning Adv Comm. 3 1 06
MINUTES
ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
6:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
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PRESENT: Chairperson Jeff Stiles; Commissioners Stephen Hardie, Martha Christ, Dick
Schiltz; Staff Members Laura Carstens, Guy Hemenway and Kyle Kritz; Long
Range Planning Advisory Commission Chairperson Charles Winterwood.
ABSENT: Commissioners Ron Smith, Eugene Bird, Jr. and Ken Bichell.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying that
the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
MINUTES: The minutes of the February 1, 2006 meeting were approved unanimously as
submitted.
PUBLIC HEARING\REZONING\190 N CRESCENT RIDGE ROAD: Application of Dawne
O'Meara, Alter Scrap ProcessingfTschiggfrie Excavating Co. to rezone property located at
190 N. Crescent Ridge from CS Commercial Service & Wholesale District, C-3 General
Commercial District and AG Agricultural District to PI Planned Industrial District.
Staff Member Kritz reported that the applicant submitted a letter asking to table their
request until the April 5, 2006 Zoning Advisory Commission meeting.
Motion by Hardie, second by Christ, to table the application to the April 5, 2006 Zoning
Advisory Commission meeting at the applicant's request. Motion was approved by the
following vote: Aye - Hardie, Christ, Schiltz and Stiles; Nay - None.
PUBLIC HEARING\REZONING\605 PERU ROAD: Application of Robert Clauerto rezone
property located at 605 Peru Road from R-1 Single-Family Residential District to LI Light
Industrial District.
Robert Clauer reviewed his request with the Commission, noting existing lot layout and
structures on the subject property. He discussed land uses on the surrounding property.
Mr. Clauer stated that he needs an area to store some of his construction equipment. He
stated that property on two sides of his is zoned light industrial.
Diane Kreiman, 627 Louella Lane, expressed concerns regarding traffic and outdoor
storage. She said that if the property were sold to someone else, they could possibly
operate their business in a way that would significantly impact adjacent residential
properties.
Minutes - Zoning Advisory Commission
March 1, 2006
Page 2
Staff Member Hemenway reviewed the surrounding zoning and land use, noting that he
had received two letters in opposition to the request. He reviewed access to the property
and recommended that, if approved, only access off of Peru Road be permitted. He stated
that this would prevent commercial traffic from circulating behind the residential properties
on Peru Road along Louella Lane.
Commissioners discussed the request reviewing access issues and the allowed uses in a
light industrial district. They compared permitted uses in the CS Commercial Service and
Wholesale District, C-3 General Commercial District and LI Light Industrial District.
Commissioners discussed potential conditions for the rezoning, including limiting outdoor
storage and building height and limiting access to Peru Road. Commissioners felt these
measures may help protect the neighboring residences from adverse impacts.
Commissioners discussed restrictions on outdoor storage, including allowing only licensed
vehicles to be outside the storage buildings. Commissioners noted that applying said
conditions to the property would bind future property owners to the same requirements.
Motion by Hardie, second by Christ, to amend the request to:
1) Limit buildings to a maximum of 40 feet in height.
2) Allow no outdoor storage other than licensed vehicles.
3) Require that access to the site be from Peru Road only.
Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Hardie, Christ, Schiltz and Stiles; Nay-
None.
Motion by Christ, second by Hardie, to approve the rezoning request as amended. Motion
was denied by the following vote: Aye - Hardie, Christ and Schiltz; Nay - Stiles. (Motion
failed for lack of four affirmative votes.)
Commissioners discussed whether to reconsider the request. Chairperson Stiles stated
that he may reconsider the request.
WORK SESSION
Discussion of screenina, setbacks. and visual impacts of commercial developments:
Staff Member Carstens discussed materials provided to the Commission regarding
standards for screening, setbacks and Port of Dubuque design guidelines. She said all of
these standards are present in current codes. She discussed the process the City is
undertaking to develop a Unified Development Code.
Commissioner Schiltz expressed interest in developing a rationale for linear separation as
a substitute for screening. He said that fully screening commercial activities is very difficult
because of Dubuque's topography, which may expose many commercial properties to
undue scrutiny. He said that he feels the Zoning Board of Adjustment should also be
provided clearer standards. He recommended the City discuss these issues with legal staff
and stakeholders. He asked that staff research what methods are used in other cities.
Minutes - Zoning Advisory Commission
March 1, 2006
Page 3
Commissioner Christ said that screening adjacent uses is sometimes necessary to mitigate
negative impacts. Commissioner Hardie said that the issue is how great a distance is
necessary to create an effective buffer. He said that the Commission is not resistant to
requiring adequate screening, and that cases are often resolved by reasonable people
tackling these issues in a reasonable manner.
Commissioner Hardie said that he is not opposed to investigating the issue, but that he
does not feel that there is currently a problem. Chairperson Stiles said that he agrees that
Dubuque's topography is unique and that each zoning request should be decided on a
case-by-case basis.
Discussion of visual impacts, phvsical separation. and bluff land preservation: Staff
Member Carstens stated that the Fiscal Year 2007 budget provides funds for a
Comprehensive Bluff Plan. She said that staff is recommending that this study be folded
into the broader Unified Development Code process. She stated that the City Plannerfrom
laCrosse, Wisconsin will be discussing his City's efforts to develop a bluffland preservation
program. She said that the City Planner will speak on Saturday, March 18th at 12:00 noon
at the Library Auditorium. Commissioner Hardie said that the City will have to tackle the
problem sooner or later. He said that a solution is needed and that he feels it is of
immediate concern.
Discussion of Future land Use Map/Comprehensive Plan Update: long Range Planning
Advisory Commission Chairperson Charles Winterwood said they were undertaking an
update of the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan in 2006. Staff Member Carstens conducted a
PowerPoint presentation regarding the Future land Use Map. Commissioner Hardie
asked that staff explore methods to encourage more mixed-use development. He said he
feels it is appropriate to mix some retail development with residential development. He
said many communities are striving to strike this balance through ordinance language and
by providing incentives. He said he feels that mixed use should apply to new
developments only.
Commissioner Hardie said that the Fremont Avenue/North Cascade Road/Cedar Cross
Road intersection is an example of a mixed-use area that includes a gas station, single and
multi-family residential development and an office building. He said that design review of
these mixed-use projects may be necessary to ensure quality development. He said he felt
that developers should be involved in the process and that the City may tap local and
national homebuilder associations for advice.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Adopted
Kyle L. Kritz, Associate Planner