Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization proposal THE CI"T"Y OF ~_`~
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Planning Services Department L~
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City Hall ' "
50 West 13th Street U
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 office
(563)589-4221 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
planningQcityofdubuque.org
2006
December 27
www.cityofdubuque.org ,
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W" 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Expansion of the Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization District
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
On December 20, 2006 the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission reviewed the proposed
expansion of the Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization District. The City Council has a
public hearing on this proposed district expansion on February 5, 2007.
The City's Urban Revitalization program offers ten year property tax abatement for eligible
improvements to residential properties in designated revitalization districts. On July 20, 1981 the
Cit~r Council approved a Washington Street Urban Revitalization area for the area from 14th to
20 Streets and from Central to Elm Streets. On January 14, 1984, the plan was amended to
include the block from 14th to 15th and Elm to Pine Streets.
The revised Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization area will expand the boundaries to
include the area of the Washington Neighborhood Association. The plan will provide for a ten
year residential abatement of eligible improvements and will also allow three year abatement for
commercial buildings in the district" Nonresidential commercial buildings are not currently
allowed in other urban revitalization areas in the City but are being proposed to provide an
incentive to retain commercial uses which service the needs of the area. The Housing and
Community Development Department report is attached for additional information.
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission feels the improvements made within the
Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization District have been a great enhancement to the
neighborhood and community. The Commission feels the expansion will encourage investment
in the area" The Commission believes the expansion of the Washington Neighborhood Urban
Revitalization District is consistent with the Dubuque Comprehensive Plan and therefore
recommends the expansion of the Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization District.
Sincerely,
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Dr. Charles Winterwood, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Attachment
cc: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
TI-IE CITY OF
DUB E
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MEMORANDUM
December 1, 2006
TO: Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
FROM: Aggie Tauke, Housing and Community Development Department
SUBJECT: Proposed Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization District
Introduction
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission is requested to review the attached for
the Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization Area Plan and to comment on its
conformance with the general plan for the community.
Background
Section 36-7(7) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque requires review of an
urban revitalization plan as to its conformity with the general plan for the development of
the municipality as a whole. The ordinance assigns this duty to the Long Range Planning
Commission.
The Commission does not approve or deny the urban revitalization plan but reviews the
plan and submits written recommendations with respect to its conformance with the
general plan. The City Council will receive the new Urban Revitalization plans at its
December 18`h meeting and will set a public hearing for February 5, 2007.
Chapter 404 of the Iowa Code (Urban Revitalization Act) authorizes cities to designate
areas as urban revitalization areas. Improvements to qualified real estate within these
designated areas may receive a total or partial exemption from property taxes for a
specified number of years. The exemptions are intended to stimulate private investment
by abating tax increases that usually accompany property improvements. This additional
private investment provides along-term increase or stabilization in the area's tax base,
enhances the viability of revitalization areas and/or supports important city objectives such
as historic preservation, economic development and affordable housing development
In order to implement the provisions of Chapter 404, the City must prepare a revitalization
plan for each designated area and hold at least one public hearing after proper notice.
The law mandates specific criteria and procedures that must be followed.
Discussion
The City's Urban Revitalization Program offers a ten year property tax abatement for eligible
improvements to residential properties in designated revitalization districts. On July 20, 1981
the City Council approved a Washington Street Urban Revitalization area for the area from
14`h to 20`h Streets and from Central to Elm Streets. On January 14, 1984, the plan was
amended to include the block from 14`h to 15"' and Elm to Pine Streets.
The revised Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization Area will expand the boundaries
to include the area of the Washington Neighborhood Association. The plan would delete the
last amended block and expand the district from 11 `h to 22"d Street, Central Avenue to Elm
Street and also include the property from Elm Street to Kniest Street from 20"' to 22nd Street,
as per the attached map.
The Plan provides for a ten year residential abatement of improvements and will also allow a
three year abatement for commercial buildings in the district. Nonresidential commercial
abatement is not currently allowed in other urban revitalization areas in the City but is
proposed to provide an incentive to commercial uses to remain and service the needs of this
area.
The Washington Neighborhood Urban Revitalization Area Plan supports several goals of
the Comprehensive Plan:
Housing
• To promote the creation and maintenance of an adequate supply of sound,
affordable housing integrated throughout the community.
• To preserve existing housing and existing, older residential neighborhoods.
• To expand the opportunities for home-ownership, especially for low to moderate
income households.
Economic Development
• To establish and maintain housing and transportation, communication, and utility
systems which support and foster quality development.
• To concentrate on retaining and expanding existing local businesses.
Land Use and Urban design
• To encourage redevelopment opportunities within the City in an effort to revitalize
unused or underused property while ensuring the preservation of viable and affordable
housing stock.
Recommendation
Staff encourages the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission to support the efforts of
the City to retain and upgrade our existing housing stock for the residents of Dubuque.
Staff believes the proposed plans provide incentives for owners to renovate and repair
historic structures, revitalize neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life in Dubuque
Action Step
The action step for the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission is to transmit its
recommendations as to the conformity of the proposed Washington Neighborhood Urban
Revitalization Area Plan to the City Council prior to the February 5, 2007 public hearing.
Attachments
Cc: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Laura Carstens, City Planner
David Harris. Housing and Community Development
F:\UsersIATAUKE\Urban RevftelWash St Amended UR\LongRangPlanning UR memo.doc