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Minutes Long Range Plann C. 11 15 06 MINUTES LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION Wednesday, November 15, 2006 D FT 7:00 P.M. Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library . 360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Winterwood; Commissioners Jim Prochaska, Lou Oswald, Otto Krueger, Rick Stein, Mary Lynn Neumeister and Patricia Cline; Staff Members Laura Carstens, Gil Spence and David Johnson. PUBLIC: Jim Giesen. ABSENT: None. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. CERTIFICATION OF COMPUANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law. MINUTES: Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska, to approve the minutes of October 18, 2006, as submitted Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None. PUBLIC HEARINGS Review Qoals and obiectives for Recreation Element: Chairperson Winterwood opened the public hearing and asked for comments on the Recreation Element. Jim Giesen, 1600 Lori Street, stated he is a member of the Community Development Advisory Commission and Tri-State Trail Vision Board of Directors. The following discussion/changes to the Recreation Element were made: Goal 1: Objective 1.6: Jim Giesen questioned Objective 1.6. He suggested the words, "neighborhood level" be deleted. Staff Members Carstens and Spence explained neighborhood level is a classification of parks. The Commission felt that the objective is appropriate as written. Objective 1.7: Jim Giesen suggested adding "hike/bike trails" after open/green space in this objective. He felt that it is important for developers to incorporate hike/bike trails into the design of new developments. The Commissjon felt that it would improve neighborhood connectivity and transportation alternatives, and also save the taxpayers money. Objective 1.9: The Commission felt that due to certain topographical limitations inherent to Dubuque, objective 1.9 should be changed to add, "where feasible" to the end of Objective 1.9. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission November 15, 2006 Page 2 Goal 2: No suggestions or changes were made. Goal 3: Obiective 3.2: Commissioner Krueger suggested the language, "softball and other" be removed. The Commission agreed and the new objective 3.2 will read: "Continue to identify sponsors to host sports tournaments at the McAleece Park and Recreation Complex and other recreation facilities." Goal 4: Obiective 4.4: Chairperson Winterwood felt it was important to promote adaptive re-use in objective 4.4. The Commission discussed the suggestion and agreed Objective 4.4 should be amended to read, "Assess the facility needs of the community, including the need for a recreation center, in a new or existing building and outdoor facilities for other sports so as to meet the recreational needs of the community: Goal 5: There were no suggestions or changes made. Goal 6: Obiective 6.1: Staff Member Carstens suggested and the Commission agreed that the word "disabled" should be changed to read, "persons with disabilities" in goal 6 and objective 6.1. Goal 7: Jim Giesen suggested that this goal include an objective that encourages green building and design principles, which would enhance the visual attractiveness of the community as well as health of the community. The Commission discussed this suggestion and felt that it was addressed in the Environmental Quality Element. No changes were made to this goal. Goal 8: Jim Giesen suggested the Commission consider adding a new objective which would promote a clean swimming beach along the Mississippi Riverfront. Commissioner Cline explained that the City does not allow swimming in the river because it is too great a liability and insurance companies will not cover it. The Commission discussed various options that would grant public access to the Mississippi River so people could enjoy the river. The Commission discussed a new objective 8.4, which would promote a clean and accessible riverfront. Commissioners again expressed hesitation towards the word "accessible" because of liability issues. The Commission agreed that a new objective 8.4 should read, "Promote a clean riverfront." The public hearing was closed. . Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission November 15,2006 Page 3 Review qoals and obiectives for Cultural Arts Element: Chairperson Winterwood opened the public hearing and asked for comments on the Cultural Arts Element. He noted comments had been submitted in writing by the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission. The following discussion/changes to the Cultural Arts Element were made: Goal 1: Goal 1.2: The Commission discussed replacing the word "encourage" with the word "provide" under Objective 1.2 as suggested by the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission. The Commission was hesitant to do so since the word "provide" implies a financial responsibility on behalf of the City, which may not be able to be fulfilled should budget constraints occur. No changes were made to Goal 1. Goal 2: Obiective 2.1: Chairperson Winterwood expressed concern over the wording. The Commission felt this objective should not limit cultural and recreational opportunities to youths, seniors or Dubuque citizens only. The Commission agreed this objective should read, "Expand cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages." Goal 3: Obiective 3.3: Commissioners noted a typographical error and agreed the word ''to'' should be deleted. Goal 4: There were no suggestions or changes. GoalS: There were no suggestions or changes. Goal 6: Obiective 6.5: The Commission felt this objective should be amended to read, "Develop marketing plan for the cultural and historic resources in the community," as suggested by the Historic Preservation Commission. Goal 7: Obiective 7.3: The Commission felt the word "encourage" should replace the words "advocate for" as originally proposed. No other changes were made. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission November 15, 2006 Page 4 The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Oswald expressed appreciation for the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Community Development Advisory Commission for their input throughout the Comprehensive Plan Update process. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska, to send a letter to the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Community Development Advisory Commission thanking them for their insight and comments. Aye - Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None. LIAISON/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Enterorise Zone Commission: Commissioner Stein reported he had no additional comments from what was previously distributed to the Commission at the October 1 S, 2006 meeting. ACTION ITEMS Review aoals and obiectives for Human Services Element: Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska, to approve as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye- Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None. Review aoals and obiectives for Education Element: Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Cline, to approve as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None. ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: E.8. Lvons Interpretive Center Expansion - presentation bv the Friends of the Mines of Spain: Rich Henderson, Mines of Spain Board Member, presented the Friends of the Mines of Spain's efforts to expand the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area so as to have more space for educational purposes. He explained the Interpretive Center is owned by the City of Dubuque and managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He explained the Friends of the Mines of Spain is a non-profit group, which assists park staff with administration of the Mines of Spain and the Interpretive Center. He explained the Friends of the Mines of Spain is currently seeking funding of $1.4 million for the expansion. He explained the expansion would include a multi-purpose room for programs, special events and meetings; a biology lab and classroom for school programs ranging from kindergarten through college level courses; creation of new exhibits and displays for visitors to explore the science and history of the region, and a library reference room to house identification books, documents, and reference materials. He discussed the many partners involved in the expansion project. He stated the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission is a key community group that they are seeking support in the form of a letter and in recommending that this project be added to the City's legislative priorities. Minutes - Long Range Planning Advisory Commission November 15, 2006 Page 5 Motion by Oswald, seconded by Neumeister, to approve a letter of support for the Friends of the Mines of Spain for the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center expansion. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None. ITEMS FROM STAFF AlA Sustainable Desion Assessment Team (SDAT) Grant Application: Staff Member Carstens explained that the AlA SDA T grant application is a City Council priority. If selected, the SDAT would provide Dubuque with a team of professionals from the AlA Center for Design. The professionals would consist of architects and other related disciplines that would assist the City on working towards sustainable design and development efforts. She explained the City Council desires Dubuque to be designated as a green city and the SDA T would assist with that. She explained the Iowa AlA chapter and City are requesting the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission to provide a letter of support for the SDA T grant application and identify a Commission representative who can serve on the local steering committee. The Commission discussed the merits of the initiative. Chairperson Winterwood and Commissioner Neumeister both expressed interest in serving on the local steering committee. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska, to provide a letter of support for the AlA SDA T grant application. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None. October 2006 Comprehensive Plan Update Report: Staff Member Carstens explained that the report is for information only. Attendance Report: Chairperson Winterwood noted that two Commissioners had contacted him about their attendance records. He expressed appreciation for full Commission attendance at this meeting. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Chairperson Winterwood questioned staff on the progress of the Unified Development Code and the Bluffland Development Ordinance. Staff Member Carstens explained that Committees have been selected for the Bluffland Development Ordinance and a consultant has been hired for the preparation of the Unified Development Code. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted