Minutes Long Range Planning Comm. 3 15 06
MINUTES
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
7:00 P.M.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
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PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Winterwood; Commissioners Jim Prochaska, Lou
Oswald, Richard Stein, Mary Lynn Neumeister; Staff Members Laura
Carstens and David Johnson.
Members of the Public: Terry Bahl, Bill Bahl, Dan Block, Bob Blok, Ron
Breitbach, Steve Bahl, John Riley, Ann Riley, David Hogan, Dan LoBianco,
Rose LoBianco, Gary Thompson, Carol Thompson, Daune O'Meara, Scott
Brimeyer, Jeff Boll, Marianne Krause, Theresa Caldwell, Hugh McFadden,
Carolyn Eggers, Walt McFadden, Mary McFadden, Nicole Turpin, and Jill
Reimer.
ABSENT: Commissioners Patricia Cline and Shannon Lundgren.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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 Stein, seconded by Prochaska to approve the minutes of January
18, 2006, as submitted passed unanimously. Motion by Neumeister, seconded by Oswald
to approve the minutes of February 15, 2006, as submitted passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING\COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: FUTURE LAND USE MAP:
Chairperson Winterwood welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the public hearing
on the future land use map. Staff Member Carstens gave a PowerPoint presentation on
the issues and process of the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan Update and the Future Land
Use Map. Once finished, Staff Member Carstens and the Commission opened the meeting
up to questions and comments.
Walt McFadden, 5580 Pennsylvania Avenue, stated he owns approximately 160 acres of
land on the comer of Pennsylvania and Radford Road. He explained he was not in favor of
the heavy industrial land use proposed on the 160 acre property.
Jim Weydert, Mayor of Peosta, questioned what the red line that surrounds the City of
Dubuque was. Chairperson Winterwood explained the red line represents the City of
Dubuque's two-mile governmental jurisdiction. Mr. Weydert said the City of Peosta
adopted a Comprehensive Plan recently. At the request of the Commission, Mayor
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March 15,2006
Page 2
Weydert stated he would forward a copy of the current City of Peosta Comprehensive Plan
for the Commissions consideration.
Jim Heitz questioned what role the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has in
considering the regional planning efforts of other communities with respect to the Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan update. He also questioned what kind of communication is made
prior to the annexation of land. Commissioner Neumeister explained under Chapter 28E of
the Code of Iowa local govemments may enter into agreements which are mutually
beneficial for the governments involved. She stated those agreements can be established
for planning issues or the provision of services. She also explained the City of Dubuque
considers regional planning efforts. Staff Member Carstens explained state law outlines a
series of notification requirements prior to the annexation of land. She stated voluntary
annexation includes a consultation with the County Board of Supervisors and Township
Trustees for the area affected by the proposed annexation. Staff Member Carstens stated
the process also includes notification of property owners by certified and regular mail, and
the City Council is also required to conduct a public hearing. Staff Member Carstens
stated there are additional requirements for the annexation of land done involuntarily or
within two miles of another city.
Bill Link stated the neighboring property owners are opposed to the area of heavy industrial
expansion south of Olympic Heights Road and west of U.S. 52.
Chairperson Winterwood thanked people for attending and explained the City will continue
to accept comments on the Future Land Use Plan Map. Since no other comments were
offered, Chairperson Winterwood closed the public hearing portion of the meeting.
LIAISON REPORT\ENTERPRISE ZONE COMMISSION:
Commissioner Stein explained the Enterprise Zone Commission consists of six members,
all of whom are at large members of different commissions. He stated each member is
appointed to two year terms and he is currently serving as Chairman of the Enterprise
Zone Commission. Commissioner Stein explained he is seeking re-appointment to the
Enterprise Zone Commission. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Neumeister to recommend
reappointment of Rick Stein as Chairman ofthe Enterprise Zone Commission and direct
staff to forward a letter to that effect. Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Oswald,
Prochaska, Neumeister, and Winterwood; Nay - None.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Theresa Caldwell, Washington Street Neighborhood Association, expressed interest in
having the neighborhood association more involved in the Comprehensive Plan Update.
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March 15, 2006
Page 3
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Bv-Laws Amendment
Staff Member Carstens explained the City Council adopted an amendment of Chapter 36
of the City Code which changed the membership of the Long Range Planning Advisory
Commission by deleting the requirement for appointment of an alternate City Council
liaison. She stated the membership section of the Long Range Planning Advisory
Commission by-laws have been changed to reflect the change in City Code. Motion by
Prochaska, seconded by Stein to amend the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
by-laws as submitted. Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Oswald, Prochaska,
Neumeister, Stein and Winterwood; Nay - None
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Communication with Governmental Aaencies
The Commission discussed how to handle communications between the City of Dubuque
and the other governmental agencies with regard to the Dubuque Comprehensive Land
Use Plan Update. Commissioner Neumeister noted representatives from Asbury and
Peosta were present for the public hearing. By consensus, the Commission agreed to
request direction from City Council regarding communication with other governmental
agencies during the update of the Comprehensive Plan.
La Crosse Bluffland Preservation
Chairperson Winterwood announced La Crosse City Planner Larry Kirch was giving a free
presentation on bluff land preservation at the Carnegie Stout Public Library at 12:00 pm on
March 18, 2006. He requested the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission c0-
sponsor the event. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Neumeister, for the Commission to c0-
sponsor the Bluffland Preservation event passed unanimously.
Zonina Ordinance Update
Commissioner Stein questioned what will happen to the research and information compiled
for the Zoning Ordinance Update, with the termination of the consultant contract. Staff
Member Carstens explained the community survey information and focus group session
information can be utilized. She explained staff is developing a new request for proposals
to assist the City in updating the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances and preparing the
Unified Development Code. She stated that staff has recommended that a comprehensive
bluff plan be added to the Unified Development Code.
Capital Improvement Proaram
Commissioner Prochaska questioned the status of the Capital Improvement Program since
the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission did not have a quorum to act on the item
at the February 15, 2006 meeting. Staff Member Carstens explained the Capital
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March 15, 2006
Page 4
Improvement Program recommended for fiscal years 2007 through 2011 was already
approved by the City Council.
Commissioner Oswald raised a number of questions about thefinancing of fees for the City
parking ramps and transit systems. Staff Member Carstens noted they are part of the
Operating Budget and not part of the Capital Improvement Budget.
Commissioner Prochaska stated he felt the Capital Improvement Program was consistent
with the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan Update. Motion by Prochaska, seconded by
Neumeister to forward a letter to City Council indicating the Capital Improvement Program
for fiscal years 2007 through 2011 is consistent with the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan.
Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Oswald, Prochaska, Neumeister, Stein and
Winterwood; Nay - None.
Dubuaue Comprehensive Plan Update
The Commission discussed the lack of dialogue and input from members of the public
regarding the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan Update. Staff Member Carstens stated she
had met with City Manager Mike Van Milligen and discussed concems about the lack of
comments received on the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan Update during the month-long
display at the Public Library. She recommended invitations be extended to the Boards of
the Chamber of Commerce, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Dubuque
Initiatives, Envision 2010, Dubuque Main Street Ltd., and the Dubuque Area Board of
Realtors and for staff to do a PowerPoint presentation and then a question and answer
session.
The Commission and Staff discussed attending neighborhood meetings in an effort to open
dialogue and increase participation from members of the community. Staff also suggesting
adding another public hearing for the proposed Future Land Use Map to give individuals
and groups another opportunity to comment. The Commission felt it was appropriate to
have an additional public hearing for the proposed Future land Use Map on the January
17,2007 open house and public hearing for the Comprehensive Plan's revised goals and
objectives. Commissioner Prochaska suggested making the Future land Use Map also
available at the April 19, 2006 open house for review of the Dubuque Comprehensive
Plan's goals and objectives as well. By consensus, the Commission agreed to extend
notification of meetings to the Westside Business & Professional Association, Boards of
the Chamber of Commerce, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Dubuque
Initiatives, Envision 2010, Dubuque Main Street Ltd., and the Dubuque Area Board of
Realtors and to conduct focus group meetings with neighborhood associations.
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March 15, 2006
Page 5
Lona Ranae Plannina Commission and Zonina Issues
Commissioner Neumeister explained the reason why the Commission commented on the
proposed Kelly's Bluff development was in the past the Commission would act on zoning
matters. She stated the Commission had expressed an interest on being informed on
current zoning issues to better direct long range planning efforts only with regard to the
Dubuque Comprehensive Plan, and this was done through the Zoning Advisory
Commission liaison. By consensus the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
requested the draft minutes of the Zoning Advisory Commission be forwarded to the Long
Range Planning Advisory Commission monthly.
April 19. 2006 Stakeholder Meetina and Public Open House for Review of the
Comprehensive Plan's Goals. Obiectives and Map
Commissioner Prochaska questioned the Commission's role in the April 19, 2006
stakeholder meeting and open house for review of the Comprehensive Plan's goals,
objectives and map. Staff Member Carstens explained she would like Commission
Members to serve with Staff as facilitators. Chairperson Winterwood asked that a list ofthe
Comprehensive Plan elements be sent out to Commission Members prior to the open
house, and if a Commission Member wishes to facilitate a particular element, they may
choose so.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner
Adopted