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Minutes Long Range Plan 8 16 06 MINUTES LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION VVedneSd~o~~~~~t16.2006 D.". Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library 360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa FT PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Winterwood; Commissioners Jim Prochaska, Lou Oswald, Otto Krueger; Staff Members Laura Carstens, David Johnson, Economic Development Director David Heiar and Finance Director Ken Tekippe. ABSENT: Commissioners Mary Lynn Neumeister, Patricia Cline and Rick Stein. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting' was called to order by Chairperson Winterwood at 7:01 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 Prochaska, seconded by Krueger, to approve the minutes of July 19, 2006, as submitted passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: Review of Individual Historic Desianation of 565 Fenelon Place: The Commission discussed the Individual Historic Designation process of 565 Fenelon Place. Chairperson Winterwood asked if aluminum siding is on the building. Staff Member Johnson explained that some of the building is aluminum sided and some of the building has wood siding. He stated that the Historic Preservation Commission felt that aluminum siding is a removable feature and does to detract from the historical integrity of the building. Chairperson Winterwood noted the building is a fine example of the Queen Anne style. Staff Member Johnson stated that the architectural survey for the property states that the building is the best example of Queen Anne style in the City of Dubuque. Commissioner Krueger asked whether there are any other homes that have Individual Historic Designation. Staff Member Johnson explained there are not any at this time; however, there are a number of buildings that would be potentially eligible in that neighborhood. He explained the architect who designed 565 Fenelon Place was responsible for designing a number of buildings in the Fenelon Place neighborhood. Staff Member Carstens noted that the Individual Historic Designation of properties is a new process recently approved by City Council, and 565 Fenelon Place is the first to attempt Individual Historic Designation. She explained that should the residence achieve Individual Historic Designation, it would become eligible for historic preservation housing grant and the historic preservation revolving loan fund. She added that those buildings with Individual Historic Designation would also require historic preservation commission design review. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission August 16, 2006 Page 2 Commissioner Oswald questioned whether loans or grants were pending for 565 Fenelon Place. Staff Member Johnson replied that there are no pending loans or grants currently on the property; however, should it receive Individual Historic Designation, it would become eligible. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska, to support the Individual HistoricDesignation of 565 Fenelon Place. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, and Krueger; Nay - None. Amendment of Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District: Staff Member Carstens explained that the Commission's role is to review new and amended urban renewal districts for their consistency with the Long Range Comprehensive Plan. She directed the Commission's attention to the memorandum prepared by the Economic Development Department and the amended Urban Renewal Plan. She explained that in staffs opinion, the amendment of the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Long Range Plan. Staff Member Heiar explained to the Commission that the City Council approved a resolution of necessity finding that the proposed expansion area was an economic development area, and appropriate for urban renewal activities. He explained the amendment expands the existing urban renewal district to include the former Adam's Door company, the former U.S. Federal Building, the Locust Street parking ramp and the Camegie Stout Public Library. He stated that no private property has been designated for public acquisition. He explained the expansion would support the rehabilitation of the former U.S. Federal Building. The expansion will make several economic development tools available to be used for needed improvements and restorations. Commissioner Prochaska questioned whether the amendment of the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District would involve the substantial updating of the old post office building. Staff Member Heiar explained that the former federal building was the impetuous behind the amendment of the urban renewal district: Commissioner Prochaska questioned expansion of the urban renewal district for the parking ramp. Staff Member Heiar explained the parking ramp is in need of some repairs. . Commissioner Prochaska questioned whether the other parking ramps are in the urban renewal district. Staff Member Hair explained that there are two parking ramps already included in the district. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Krueger, to recommend approval of the amended and restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, and Krueger; Nay- None. Finalize review of ooals and obiectives for Infrastructure element: The Commission discussed objective 4.7 under the previously reviewed Infrastructure Element. The Commission discussed replacing the word "county" with "local" in Objective 4.7. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission August 16, 2006 Page 3 Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Krueger, to amend Objective 4.7 to read, "Coordinate with local, state and federal officials to complete the Iowa 32 (Southwest Arterial) project." Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, and Krueger; Nay - None. The Commission reviewed the remainder of the Infrastructure Element. Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Oswald, to accept the goals and objectives of the Infrastructure Element as changed and to recommend approval to the City Council. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Winterwood, Prochaska, Oswald, and Krueger; Nay- None. Finalize review of ooals and obiectives for Environmental Qualitv Element: Commissioner Prochaska questioned Objective 1.5. The Commission discussed the wording of Objective 1.5. Staff Member Carstens explained that objective 1.5 is a typographical error. She stated Objective 1.5 should actually be two objectives and staff would like the opportunity to refer back to previous notes and verify the correct language for what should be Objectives 1.5 and 1.6. The Commission agreed and tabled the element to the next meeting to allow staff to make corrections to the typographical error. The Commission then discussed whether billboards and advertising signs are discussed in the Long Range Comprehensive Plan. The Commission discussed sign pollution within the City of Dubuque. Staff Member Carstens explained that the size, setback and separation of signs are regulated. The Commission discussed the need to balance businesses needs while providing aesthetically pleasing commercial and residential areas. Staff Member Carstens explained that the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan does not address sign regulations. By consensus, the Commission requested staff draft a new objective 7.7 regarding on-premise and off-premise sign regulations with respect to scenic vistas, sign clutter, and local, state and federal sign regulations. PUBLIC HEARINGS: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: Review ooals and obiectives for City Fiscal Element: Chairperson Winterwood opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. . Staff Member Carstens explained that Finance Director Ken Tekippe was present to help answer finance questions. She explained the fiscal element was reviewed by staff, the Finance Director, and the City Manager. Chairperson Winterwood reviewed the policy statement, goals and objectives for the Finance Element. He questioned the recommended changes to Objectives 2.4 and 3.2. Staff Member Tekippe explained that Objectives 2.4 and 3.2 were amended because the City also files financial information with the state. The language as proposed in Objective 2.4 was limiting by only identifying the Government Finance Officers Association for review of financial information. Staff Member Carstens explained the language in proposed Objective 2.4 is the best way to convey complicated financial information in a public document. The Commission recommended Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission August 16, 2006 Page 4 Objective 2.4 be amended to read, "Strive to meet state and national standards for the City's budget presentation." The Commission discussed Goal 5 and Objective 5.3. They felt afford ability should be incorporated into Goal 5 and Objective 5.3. The Commission recommended Goal 5 be amended to read, "To emphasize the use of fees and user charges to maintain existing City services and reduce reliance on local property taxes while remaining sensitive to program access, affordability, and availability for those with low or moderate incomes." The Commission recommended Objective 5.3 read, "Maintain access, affordability and availability of essential City services to low and moderate income persons." The Commission next discussed Goal 6. Chairperson Winterwood questioned why objective 6.7 was deleted. Staff Member Carstens explained the City does not extend sewer and water beyond the City limits. Chairperson Winterwood recommended, and the Commission agreed, Objective 6.7 should be amended to state, "Explore opportunities for cost saving regional sharing of City services." The Commission agreed with the remainder of the City Fiscal Element as proposed. Review aoals and obiectives for Economic Develooment Element: Chairperson Winterwood opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chairperson Winterwood and the Commission reviewed the policy statement, and goals and objectives. The Commission discussed Objective 3.10. Staff Member Carstens explained that this objective was drafted by high school students involved in the Comprehensive Plan Update. The Commission discussed rewording Objective 3.10, but decided to leave the language as proposed. The Commission discussed objective 6.5. The Commission felt that because the City and private organizations already partner to solve workforce development problems,Objective 6.5 should be amended to read, "Continue business labor education and government partnerships to solve workforce development problems." The Commission next addressed Objective 7.4. The Commission recommended that Envision 2010 be omitted from Objective 7.4, and the new Objective 7.4 should read, "Focus resources on future tourism initiatives, including those identified in the community visioning process." The Commission next discussed Objective 12.1. The Commission felt that staff's recommendation to leave in existing vacant, underutilized and brownfield properties was Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission August 16, 2006 Page 5 appropriate. The Commission recommended Objective 12.1 read, "Promote redevelopment of existing vacant, underutilized, and brownfield properties." The Commission discussed and agreed with the remainder of the economic development element as proposed. LIAISON/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: Enterprise Zone Commission: No report. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Draft Future Land Use Map Update: Staff Member Johnson explained that at the last Commission meeting, the Commission requested the Indiana Bat Habitat east of Catfish Creek be depicted as open space on the draft Future Land Use Plan Map. He explained the draft Future Land Use Plan Map database has been updated to reflect the Indiana Bat Habitat as open space; however, the area is completely encompassed by flood plain. He explained because it is important that flood plain be presented in its entirety throughout the map, the flood plain designation will be represented on the map. He reiterated that the database does identify the Indiana Bat Habitat. He explained both flood plain and open space restrict development. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted F:IUSERSIDjohnsonIMinutesILRPIILRPAC08_16_06.min.doc