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Minutes Long Range Plan 7 19 06 MINUTES LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION Wednesday, July 19, 2()06 7:00 P.M. Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library 360 W. 11 th Street, Dubuque, Iowa DRAFT PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Winterwood, Commissioners Jim Prochaska, Lou Oswald, Otto Krueger, Mary Lynn Neumeister and Patricia Cline; Planning Staff Members David Johnson and Wally Wernimont, Public Works Director Don Vogt, Solid Waste Management Supervisor Paul Schultz. Public: Wayne Klostermann, Environmental Stewardship Commission and Todd Lange. ABSENT: Commissioner Rick Stein. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Winterwood 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 June 21, 2006, as submitted passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Chairperson Winterwood stated since everyone in attendance for the public hearing had copies of the Elements' Goals and Objectives to be reviewed, he would forego reading the Policy Statement for each of the elements. Review ooals and obiectives for Environmental Quality Element: Staff Member Johnson noted that all comments received from the stakeholder workshop and public hearings on the draft Element are represented in black italics. He explained that any comments from City staff or the City Manager are depicted in red italics. Goal #1. Solid Waste Manager Paul Schultz addressed the Commission and explained many of the changes to Goal #1 under the Environmental Quality element. He explained the importance of adding retention basins and on-site infiltrations systems to control flooding and increase infiltration in an effort to create a more sustainable environment and balance urban growth. He added that it is important for the City to encourage its citizens to use practices and technologies which reduce the impacts of global climate change. The Commission agreed with the public and City staff comments for Goal #1 and did not have any changes. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 2 July 19, 2006 Goal #2: Todd Lange, 2936 Van Buren, commented on the objectives under Goal #2. He said he would like to see the City of Dubuque lead by example by purchasing energy and fuel efficient vehicles in the future. The Commission agreed. The Commission discussed the use of alternative fuels and implementation by the City of Dubuque. The Commission discussed establishing a committee to look at these issues. Wayne Klostermann, Environmental Stewardship Commission member, suggested rather than establishing a new committee to look at these issues, the Environmental Stewardship Commission should be given that responsibility. He estimated at least 80% of the issues outlined in the Environmental Quality Element are looked at by the Environmental Stewardship Commission. He also suggested that the City look into Green Communities, a private organization in Des Moines which promotes energy efficient communities which utilizes green building codes. He requested direction from the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission. Motion by Cline, seconded by Prochaska, to share the ideas and concerns outlined in the Environmental Quality Element with the Environmental Stewardship Commission so they may provide education and implementation strategies for the public and City government. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, Krueger, Neumeister and Cline; Nay - None. Mr. Schultz discussed staff's recommended changes to Goal #2 with the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission. The Commission recommended the following changes: ~ Add objective 2.8 which will read, "Encourage public organizations to lead by example by purchasing and using energy and fuel efficient vehicles." ~ Delete objective 2.2. ~ Objective 2.4 should remain under Goal #2 rather than be moved to Goal #3 as suggested. ~ Objective 2.7 should be changed to read, "Promote walking, mass transit use and cycling through infrastructure development to reduce energy consumption." The Commissioners discussed the number of high school students who serve on the Environmental Stewardship Commission. Mr. Klostermann explained that because of the way the by-laws are written, they are allowed to have one student who serves on the Environmental Stewardship Commission. The Commission discussed the importance of involving a student from each of the Dubuque high schools in the Environmental Stewardship Commission as they are the generation that will be most impacted and involved in environmental issues. Mr. Klostermann requested that the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission provide direction to the Environmental Stewardship Commission. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 3 July 19, 2006 Motion by Oswald, seconded by Cline, to recommend the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission write correspondence to the Environmental Stewardship Commission requesting staff to the Environmental Stewardship Commission amend the by-laws of the Environmental Stewardship Commission to allow one representative from each of the Dubuque high schools, including Central Alternative High School, on the Environmental Stewardship Commission and be forwarded to the City Council. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, Krueger, Neumeister and Cline; Nay - None. Goal #3: Mr. Schultz discussed the objectives. The Commission recommended the following changes: ~ Objective 3.2 should be changed to read, "Encourage the use of environmental projects and ongoing environmental education programs for citizens of all ages, including the human health effects of environmental issues and problems, e. g., radon and lead hazard reduction. ~ Delete objective 3.3 and new objective 3.3 read, "Remove barriers, explore incentives and encourage green building principles." ~ Objective 3.1 should read, "Partner with educational institutions and media to report environmental indicator status and trends to the community concurrent with updates of the Comprehensive Long Range Plan." The Commission agreed with all other recommendations made by the public and City staff for Goal #3. Goal #4: The Commission reviewed Goal #4. In response to questions from the Commission, Mr. Schultz addressed the objectives. The Commission had no changes to Goal #4 as proposed. Goal #5: The Commission recommended the following changes: ~ Objectives 5.1 and 5.2 are all right as written; however, those objectives should not be combined. ~ Objective 5.6 should be changed to read, "Prevent toxic waste discharge into the waste water treatment system and/or the environment through education, monitoring and enforcement." Goal #6: Mr. Lange commented on Objective 6.1. He emphasized the importance of continued recycling efforts for electronic materials. Public Works DirectorVogt stated that the City is currently working on a regional electronic recycling effort that should be implemented by the end of the calendar year. The Commission and Mr. Schultz discussed composting in the City. The Commission recommended the following changes: Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 4 July 19, 2006 ~ Objective 6.2 should be changed to read, "Promote use of recycled content products- e.g., compost, and environmentally preferable purchasing." ~ Objective 6.3 should be changed to read, "Expand the food scrap and backyard composting options and awareness." Goal #7: Chairperson Winterwood stated he would like Goal #7 to read, "To promote the protection, preservation and enhancement of the biodiversity of the City's bluffs and prairies, wetlands, waterways, and all natural areas, including partnerships:" The Commission agreed. The Commission discussed establishing an educational source for wildlrfe found outside of the Mississippi River and the National Mississippi River Museum. Mr. Schultz explained that much of what the National Mississippi River Museum deals with is wildlife found in the entire watershed. Based on the discussion, the Commission requested that an additional objective be added to Goal #3. Objective 3.4 should read, "Encourage coordination of community organizations concerned with environmental issues and local ecosystems." Goal #8: Mr. Schultz explained the importance of having an appropriate balance of natural species as well as reducing not native or invasive plant and animal species. The Commission agreed, and recommended that objective 8.5 should be changed to read, "Encourage reduction of non-native, invasive plant and animal species and maintain an appropriate balance of native species." Goal #9: The Commission agreed with the Goals and Objectives proposed and recommended no changes. Review aoals and obiectives for Infrastructure Element: Staff Member Johnson explained that the Planning Department received comments from the Engineering Department for the Comprehensive Plan's Infrastructure Element the morning of the meeting. He explained those comments provided by the Engineering Department are depicted as a comment on the right margin of the page. He distributed the updated public and City staff comments to the Commissioners and public for their review as part of the public hearing. The Commission reviewed the policy statement for the Infrastructure Element and agreed with the language as proposed. Goal #1: The Commission had no comments. Goal #2: The Commission agreed with the Engineering Department's recommendation that Objective 2.5 be changed to read, "Minimize infiltration and inflow into the collection system." Minutes - long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 5 July 19, 2006 Goal #3: Commissioner Cline commented that much of the language found under Goal #3 is from the Storm Water Plan. The Commission agreed with the changes as proposed. Goal #4: The Commission discussed proposed Objective 4.4. Commissioner Cline recommended that Objective 4.4 read, "Maintain and improve city alleys, guardrails, street lights, traffic control lights, street pavement markings, traffic signs, street name signs, walls and other related facilities: She emphasized the importance of incorporating the word "improve" to address safety concerns. Mr. Vogt explained barriers for funding for improvements to alleys. In response to questions from the Commission, Mr. Vogt explained the maintenance of streets is funded by road use tax money, which is state gas tax money, which is a fixed set of funds. He explained road use tax funds are split between the state, counties and cities, and the City's share of gas tax monies has dropped over the last few years. Mr. Vogt stated the improvement of alleys are a concern; however, funding for such improvements is very limited. The Commission maintained that the language "and improve" should remain incorporated into Objective 4.4. The Commission agreed with the remainder of Goal #4. Goal #5: The Commission had no comments. Goal #6: The Commission discussed objective 6.6. Commissioner Oswald was concerned that there is a lack of parking for the City's underserved population. The Commission discussed the cost of providing additional parking in the downtown area. The Commission was concerned that in order to provide additional parking in the downtown area, open space opportunities and buildings may have to be removed. Some Commissioners felt there was adequate parking in and around the public library as well as the downtown area. The Commission agreed to delete Objective 6.6. Goals 7.8.9 and 10: No comments or suggested changes were made. Goal #11: Commissioner Oswald was concerned over the amount of public input that was being deleted. The Commission felt a great deal of the public comment has been incorporated into the draft document to be recommended to the City Council. Chairperson Winterwood stated much of the public comment that has been deleted was done so because it was redundant. Staff Member Johnson explained just because public comment may have been proposed to be deleted does not necessarily mean that City staff found the issue to not be important. He stated that ultimately the Commission needs to determine what should and should not be included in the draft document. He reminded the Commission it is their recommendation that goes to City Council. The Commission recommended no changes for Goal #11. Goal #12: No additional comments or changes were made. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 6 July 19, 2006 ACTION ITEMS: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Finalize review of aoals and obiectives for Land Use and Urban Desion Element: Staff Member Johnson stated that the memorandum distributed to the Commission transmits the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission's recommendations from the June 21, 2006 meeting for the Goals and Objectives of the Land Use and Urban Design Element. He noted that the Commission's recommended new language is shown in italics and recommended deletions are shown crossed out, and staff comments for grammatical changes are shown in bold italics. He requested the Commission provide a final recommendation to the City Council regarding the Goals and Objectives for the Land Use and Urban Design Element. The Commission, having reviewed the document prior to the meeting, agreed with the Goals and Objectives. Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Oswald, to recommend approval of the Goals and Objectives for the Land Use and Urban Design Element. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, Krueger, Neumeister and Cline; Nay - None. Finalize review of aoals and obiectives for TransDortation Element: Staff Member Johnson explained that the same action is being requested as with the Land Use and Urban Design Element: The Commission should provide a final recommendation to the City Council regarding the Goals and Objectives of the Transportation Element. The Commission, having reviewed the document prior to the meeting, agreed with the Goals and Objectives. Motion by Cline, seconded by Prochaska, to recommend approval of the goals and objectives for the Transportation Element. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, Krueger, Neumeister and Cline; Nay - None. LIAISON/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Enterorise Zone Commission: No report. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Inventorv of Parks: Staff Member Johnson explained that at the June 21st meeting, the Commission requested an inventory of parks by size and service area, and the percentage of open space in the city of Dubuque. He explained the guidelines provided to the Commission and used for analysis are based on recommendations by the National Recreation and Park Association. He explained the statistics and supporting maps have , Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 7 July 19, 2006 been provided for their review only and no action is required. The Commission discussed the service areas provided for each of the park classifications. Inventorv of Brick Streets & Allevs: Staff Member Johnson explained that the Commission requested an inventory and cost comparison of brick streets and alleys at the June 21. 2006 meeting. He explained the memo distributed to the Commission is an inventory of brick streets and alleys in the downtown area with a cost comparison for patching brick streets with asphalt and concrete versus repairing those streets with brick. He stated the information is provided for the Commission's consideration and no action is required. The Commission discussed the number of brick streets, brick streets with asphalt overlay, as welf as brick and asphalt alleys in the downtown area. The Commission also discussed the cost comparison between patching brick streets with asphalt and concrete versus brick. Staff Member Wernimont explained the Historic Preservation Commission is currently working on initiatives where the Historic Preservation Commission reviews the five-year road improvement plan to identify funding opportunities to off-set some of the cost of repairing brick streets. He stated it is a proactive initiative which could allow the Historic Preservation Commission to provide incentives and facilitate brick street repairs in the downtown area. Definition of Mixed Use Develooment: Staff Member Johnson explained at the June 21 st meeting, the Commission requested that Planning staff provide a definition of mixed use development with respect to goals and objectives in the Land Use and Urban Design Element of the Comprehensive Plan. He explained that Staff researched definitions for mixed use development, compiled a definition, distributed it for department review, and then submitted it for the Commission consideration. He stated no action is required. Ooen Soace and Critical Habitat in the Iowa 32 (Southwest Arterial) Corridor: Staff Member Johnson stated this was also a request made by the Commission at the June 21 st meeting. He directed the Commission's attention to the information from the Iowa 32 (Southwest Arterial) Corridor Environmental Assessment regarding open space and critical habitat. Chairperson Winterwood noted the Indiana Bat Habitat east of the Catfish Creek and asked that this area be depicted as open space on the Draft Future Land Use Plan Map. The Commission agreed by consensus. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Draft 2030 Future Land Use MaD Uodate: Staff Member Johnson stated at the May 17, 2006 meeting, the Commission requested an updated draft 2030 Future Land Use Map be provided on a monthly basis throughout the remainder of the Comprehensive Plan Update process. He stated the map that has been provided to the Commission depicts the most recent updates. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 8 July 19, 2006 Aaricultural Uses in and around the City of Dubuaue: Staff Member Johnson explained at the May 17 meeting, the Commission discussed whether to designate agricultural land uses on the draft 2030 Future Land Use Map. He stated the Commission asked Planning Services staff to meet with City Legal staff to get a legal opinion on the impacts agricultural land use designations may have on the establishment of hog confinements within the City limits. He explained that Iowa Code allows specific provisions which exempt agricultural land uses from County zoning control; however, Iowa Code does not exempt agricultural land uses from zoning within cities, unless the City elects to exercise zoning control over a two- mile area. He noted that the City of Dubuque does not exercise zoning control outside of its city limits. He explained that those properties located within the City limits and already zoned agricultural are subject to those uses allowed by right in the City's AG Agricultural District. He further explained that the City's Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map are policy documents and serve as a guide for growth and development. He noted that designating agricultural land uses can be viewed as a policy, which when adopted by the City Council, may encourage the establishment of agricultural uses or continuance of agricultural uses. He stated it is the recommendation of City staff not to incorporate agricultural land use designations on the draft 2030 Future Land Use Plan Map. The Commission discussed the merits of whether to incorporate agricultural land use designations on the map. By consensus, the Commission agreed it will not be necessary to incorporate agricultural land use designations on the Draft 2030 Future Land Use Map. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted F:/USERSIDJohnsonlMinuteslLRP/LRPAC07 _19_06.min.doc '.J . :1