Minutes Long Range Adv. 5 17 06
MINUTES
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION DRAFT
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
7:00 P.M.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library ,
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Winterwood; Commissioners Jim Prochaska, Patricia
Cline, Lou Oswald and Otto Krueger; Staff Members Laura Carstens and
David Johnson.
ABSENT: Commissioners Mary Lynn Neumeister and Rick Stein.
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.
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER
Chairperson Winterwood welcomed new Commissioner Krueger and thanked him for
volunteering his time. .
MINUTES: Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska to approve the minutes of March
15,2006, as submitted passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING/COMPREHENSIVE PLAN'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Chairperson Winterwood welcomed everybody to the public hearing on the Comprehensive
Plan's goals and objectives. He noted on April 19, 2006 a community stakeholder
workshop was held and comments from the workshop were provided in the
Commissioners' packets. Commissioner Cline stated some of the goals and objectives
and comments from the workshop have been or are currently being addressed by the City
Council. Chairperson Winterwood explained that even if the City Council is taking action
on an item, it would still be appropriate to have it in the Comprehensive Plan.
Land Use and Urban Desion
Chairperson Winterwood read the Land Use and Urban Design policy statement from the
2002 Dubuque Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No
comments were offered.
Transportation
Chairperson Winterwood read the Transportation policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. Commissioner
Oswald expressed concems with current transit rates and operations.
Annie Potter, 429 Clarke Drive, expressed interest in improving and expanding bike trails.
She stated bicycles should be recognized as a viable altemative mode of transportation.
She explained the City is not currently conducive for bicycles. She specifically stated bad
Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
May 17, 2006
Page 2
roads, sidewalks, and insufficient bicycle routes and racks make it difficult to get around
the city on a bicycle.
Ms. Potter stated she would like the plan to have a continued emphasis on promoting
bicycles as a legitimate alternative mode of transportation.
Jerry Anderson, 1989 W. 3rd St., explained the City's bus system is not efficient or cost
effective because of a lack of ridership. He stated he would like the system to change.
Robin Kennicker, 904 Lincoln, suggested the City should consider a complete streets
program to recognize and accommodate bicycle riders.
Infrastructure
Chairperson Winterwood read the Infrastructure policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No comments were
offered.
Environmental Quality
Chairperson Winterwood read the Environmental Quality policy statement from the 2002
Dubuque Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No
comments were offered.
Economic DeveloDment
Chairperson Winterwood read the Economic Development policy statement from the 2002
Dubuque Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No
comments were offered.
Citv Fiscal
Chairperson Winterwood read the City Fiscal policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No comments were
offered.
Housina
Chairperson Winterwood read the Housing policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions.
Robin Kennicker, 904 Lincoln, expressed frustration over inflated housing prices. She
stated the inflated housing prices do not reflect actual home values. Commissioner
Oswald explained the plan currently promotes the expansion of homeowner opportunities
and incentives. Ms. Kennicker stated she would like the plan to continue to promote
affordable housing for those who would like to purchase a home, but do not qualify for
assistance.
Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
May 17, 2006
Page 3
Health
Chairperson Winterwood read the Health policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. Chairperson
Winterwood added there will be a public health clinic in Dubuque around September, 2006.
No comments were offered by the public.
Human Services
Chairperson Winterwood read the Human Services policy statement from the 2002
Dubuque Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No
comments were offered.
Education
Chairperson Winterwood read the Education policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No comments were
offered.
Recreation
Chairperson Winterwood read the Recreation policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions.
Fred Foldenouer introduced himself as president of Tri-State Modelers. He explained he
wanted to promote recreational model remote control airplanes. He stated Dubuque has
very nice accommodations for remote controlled airplanes. Mr. Foldenouer specifically
identified FDR Park as a nice facility. He explained Tri-State Modelers are seeking to
reach out to other organizations to improve recreational opportunities in the Tri-State area.
Chairperson Winterwood stated FDR Park is currently an underutilized park. He explained
that will most likely change as development continues to occur on the west end of the city.
Cultural Arts
Chairperson Winterwood read the Cultural Arts policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No comments were
offered.
Diversitv
Chairperson Winterwood read the Diversity policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No comments were
offered.
Public Safety
Chairperson Winterwood read the Public Safety policy statement from the 2002 Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan and asked for public comments and questions. No comments were
offered.
Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
May 17, 2006
Page 4
Chairperson Winterwood asked the public whether there were any additional comments
which mayor may not fall under the fourteen elements already discussed. There were no
comments. Chairperson Winterwood closed the public hearing for the Comprehensive
Plan's goals and objectives.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Revised UDdate Schedule
Staff Member Carstens presented the revised Comprehensive Plan update schedule. She
said it is a very ambitious schedule. She explained the schedule permits discussion of two
elements at each meeting until the January 17, 2007 open house for the revised map,
goals and objectives. Staff Member Carstens asked whether the Commission would like to
meet earlier to allow enough time to discuss the elements. Commissioner Cline noted
Commissioner Neumeister cannot attend meetings before 7:00 p.m. The Commission felt
the times as scheduled were fine. The Commission explained times can be adjusted at a
later date if determined necessary. Staff Member Carstens reviewed the remainder of the
schedule.
Commissioner Cline suggested the Commission's comments on the various elements be
transmitted to the City Council in a hard copy format each month, to help Council members
prepare for the goal setting session. Commissioner Cline felt it would be beneficial to keep
the City Council informed on the issues on a regular basis.
Commissioner Oswald expressed frustration over the lack of input into the April 19th
workshop and the public hearings. The Commission discussed public involvement in other
communities and the strength of the current plan. Commissioner Cline stated other
communities experience the same difficulties with public participation in the long range
planning process. She stated the City of Dubuque'S current Comprehensive Plan is very
thorough, and that the lack of input may reflect the community's acceptance of the plan.
By consensus the Commission requested monthly updates of the Commission's review of
the goals and objectives be transmitted to the City Council in a hard copy format if
possible.
Revised Draft of Future Land Use MaD
Staff Member Carstens explained staff now has the ability to make requested changes to
the map on a monthly basis as comments are reviewed. She also explained specific areas
of the City can be focused in on and can be presented in an inset map format. The
Commission requested an updated map be provided on a monthly basis throughout the
remainder of the Comprehensive Plan update process. The Commission requested the
changes be made by staff based on submitted comments; however, staff should inform the
Commission of the changes.
In response to a citizen inquiry, Staff Member Carstens asked the Commission whether
they would like to show agricultural land uses on the draft future land use map.
Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
May 17, 2006
Page 5
Commissioner Cline supported the idea since there are agricultural land uses and zoning
currently within City limits. Chairperson Winterwood expressed concern that identifying
agricultural areas on the land use map may open the door to establishing hog
confinements in the city limits. Chairperson Winterwood requested a legal opinion from the
City Attorney regarding the issue.
Communication with Other Governmental Aaencies
Staff Member Carstens noted that with respect to communication with other governmental
agencies, the City Council has directed the Commission to provide notification of
Commission meetings and public hearings, receive and file oral and written comments and
plans, and transmit comments and plans to the City Council for policy decisions.
Community Indicators
Staff Member Carstens directed the Commission to the final list of updated Community
Indicators provided in their packets. She explained they were the indicators used in the
April 19th stakeholder workshop. Chairperson Winterwood commented some individuals at
the workshop would like education statistics for Holy Family. Staff Member Carstens
indicated staff could get them.
LIAISON/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Enterprise Zone Commission
Staff Member Carstens stated the Enterprise Zone Commission had approved the
McGraw-Hili Companies application to expand their operations in the city.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC
Comments on Future Land Use MaD
Chairperson Winterwood asked the public whether they would like to view the Draft Future
Land Use Map. There were no comments. He stated the draft map would also be
available to view after the meeting.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed the public comments received for the Future Land Use
Map. She noted the future land use map already has the land use change requested by
Medical Associates Clinic. The open space area appears to be less than what it actually is
because the floodplain area obscures it.
Chairperson Winterwood asked if there were any major land use issues emerging through
the update process. Staff Member Carstens noted that bluff preservation and development
was a major issue. Staff Member Carstens also referenced the letter from River City
Stone. She explained the Commission may want to consider planning for more heavy
industrial land uses, such as quarries, salvage yards and ethanol and bio-diesel plants, on
the future land use map where appropriate. Staff Member Carstens stated these land uses
are critical for a strong economy, workforce, and services provided by the City and have
been or can be controversial for siting and rezoning decisions.
Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
May 17, 2006
Page 6
Commissioner Cline stated it is important to provide opportunities and accommodate these
land uses. She suggested staff research the needs of the heavy industrial land uses so
the Commission may best know where to locate such uses, and contact the Greater
Dubuque Development Corporation for assistance. By consensus, the Commission
directed staff to research the needs of the discussed heavy industrial land uses.
City of Peosta Future Land Use Plan
Chairperson Winterwood asked the public whether they would like to look at the City of
Peosta Future Land Use Plan Map. There were no comments. He stated the map would
be available to view after the meeting as well.
Chairperson Winterwood stated he would like the City of Peosta Land Use Plan depicted
on the draft Future Land Use Map for areas outside the Peosta city limits. Commissioner
Cline supported the idea as long as Peosta's corporate boundaries are clearly defined.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Chairperson Winterwood encouraged those members of
the public in attendance to participate in the Envision 2010 focus groups.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner
Adopted