Resolution for Amendment of Urban Renewal PlanrHS c~rv of
DUB E
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MEMORANDUM
January 10, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution of Necessity for an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal
Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
Economic Development Director David Heiar is recommending that the City Council find
that the amendment of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District is both necessary and appropriate, and set a public hearing on the
proposed amendment for February 19, 2007.
The proposed amendment of this district would more clearly define the allowable uses
in the Urban Renewal District to include the rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation of
historic buildings for public and governmental uses, including the Carnegie-Stout Public
Library and the Former U.S. Federal Building. The proposed amendment of the Urban
Renewal District would allow for the use of redevelopment tools to assist the proposed
rehabilitation of the former U.S. Federal Building and the Carnegie-Stout Public Library.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
~~ ~~-.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
January 9, 2007
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager A ,'
FROM: David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director ~ ,
SUBJECT: Resolution of Necessity for an Amended and Restated Urban
Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District
Introduction
This memorandum presents for City Council consideration a Resolution of Necessity
that: 1) finds that the amendment of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District is both necessary and appropriate; and 2) sets a
public hearing on the proposed amendment for February 19t , 2007.
The proposed amendment of this district would more clearly define the allowable uses
in the Urban Renewal district to include the rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation of
historic buildings for public and governmental uses, including the Carnegie Stout Public
Library and the Former U.S. Federal Building. The proposed amendment of the urban
renewal district would allow for the use of redevelopment tools to assist the proposed
rehabilitation of the former U.S. Federal Building and the Carnegie-Stout Public Library
by the City.
Background
The Downtown Dubuque Urban Renewal District was originally established in 1967. It
has been amended and restated on several occasions over the years to expand the
boundaries to include the Old Main area, the Iowa Inn property and the Dubuque
Museum of Art. On April 19th, 2004, the Downtown Dubuque Urban Renewal was
merged with the Ice Harbor Urban Renewal District. By combining the two districts,
both public and private development efforts have benefited from greater flexibility in the
use of tax increment financing in the larger district.
Before a municipality can exercise the authority conferred by Chapter 403 "Urban
Renewal" of the Iowa Code, a Resolution of Necessity must be adopted finding that the
area being considered for urban renewal district designation is either a slum, blighted or
economic development area and that the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment,
development, or a combination thereof, of the area is necessary in the interest of the
public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the city.
The Iowa Code defines a blighted area as, "an area of a municipality within which the
local governing body of the municipality determines that the presence of a substantial
number of slum, deteriorated, or deteriorating structures; defective or inadequate street
layout; faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness;
unsanitary or unsafe conditions; deterioration of site or other improvements; diversity of
ownership, tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land;
defective or unusual conditions of title; or the existence of conditions which endanger
life or property by fire and other causes; or any combination of these factors;
substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of a municipality, retards the provision
of housing accommodations, or constitutes an economic or social liability and is a
menace to the public health, safety, or welfare in its present condition and use". An
economic development area is defined as, "an area of a municipality designated by the
local governing body as appropriate for commercial and industrial enterprises or
housing and residential development for low and moderate income families, including
single or multifamily housing." The expansion areas will be designated as economic
development areas. See attached map.
Discussion
The amendments to the Urban Renewal Plan are meant to more clearly define the
allowable uses in the Urban Renewal district to include the rehabilitation, restoration,
and renovation of historic buildings for public and governmental uses, including the
Carnegie Stout Public Library and the Former U.S. Federal Building. This amendment
will define that these rehabilitation projects can access the tools and incentives
available to urban renewal district properties, including tax increment financing and the
Downtown Rehabilitation Loan Program.
The attached Resolution directs staff to prepare an amended and restated Urban
Renewal Plan and to forward the amendment to the Long Range Planning Commission
for their review and comment. This is required by Chapter 403 along with a
consultation process that involves all affected taxing entities. Those taxing entities, the
County, School Board and community college, have an opportunity to comment on the
proposed amendment prior to the required public hearing on the urban renewal plan,
but they cannot block adoption of the plan.
City Council public hearing on the amended and restated Urban Renewal Plan will be
scheduled for February 19th, 2007. This will allow time for preparation of the plan,
review and comment period by the Long Range Planning Commission and the
consultation process with the taxing entities.
Recommendation
I recommend the City Council adopt the attached Resolution of Necessity that begins
the process of amending the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban
Renewal District to more clearly define the allowable uses in the Urban Renewal district
to include the rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation of historic buildings for public
and governmental uses, including the Carnegie Stout Public Library and the Former
U.S. Federal Building.
The amendment will provide additional tools to encourage reinvestment and
redevelopment activities throughout the District and will support, specifically, the
proposed former U.S. Federal Building and Carnegie-Stout Public Library.
Action Step
The action step for the City Council is to adopt the Resolution of Necessity attached to
this memorandum.
Attachments
Prepared by: Aaron M. DeJong
Assistant Economic Development Director
F:\USERS\Adejong\Urban Renewal\2007.1 Amendment\20070109 Necessary Memo.doc
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY FINDING THAT THE GREATER
DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT ARE AREAS MEETING THE
DEFINITIONS OF A SLUM, BLIGHTED AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AREAS AND THAT DEVELOPMENT OF SAID AREAS IS NECESSARY IN THE
INTEREST OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque has determined that the
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District will provide redevelopment opportunities
which will further the purposes and objectives of the Downtown Dubuque Urban
Renewal Plan; and
Whereas, the City Council has found that the areas meet the definition of a slum,
blighted, and economic development area as found in Chapter 403 "Urban Renewal" of
the Iowa Code; and
Whereas, Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code requires that before urban renewal
authority may be exercised, a City Council must adopt a resolution of necessity finding
that the area in question is a slum, blighted or economic development area, and that so
designating such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare
of the residents of the municipality.
NOW. THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the following text amendment is proposed to be added to the
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District, to wit:
An amendment is needed to clearly define the public purpose activities to include
the rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation of historic buildings for public and
governmental uses, including the Carnegie Stout Public Library and the Former
U.S. Federal Building;
Section 2. That amending the Urban Renewal Plan is necessary and
appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the community in
accordance with sound planning and local community objectives.
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized and directed to prepare an
Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal
District, to forward said Plan to the City's Long Range Planning Commission for review
and comment and to begin the consultation process required by law with affected taxing
entities.
RESOLUTION NO. 26-07
A RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY FINDING THAT THE GREATER
DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT ARE AREAS MEETING THE
DEFINITIONS OF A SLUM, BLIGHTED AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AREAS AND THAT DEVELOPMENT OF SAID AREAS IS NECESSARY IN THE
INTEREST OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque has determined that the
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District will provide redevelopment opportunities
which will further the purposes and objectives of the Downtown Dubuque Urban
Renewal Plan; and
Whereas, the City Council has found that the areas meet the definition of a slum,
blighted, and economic development area as found in Chapter 403 "Urban Renewal" of
the Iowa Code; and
Whereas, Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code requires that before urban renewal
authority may be exercised, a City Council must adopt a resolution of necessity finding
that the area in question is a slum, blighted or economic development area, and that so
designating such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare
of the residents of the municipality.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the following text amendment is proposed to be added to the
Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District, to wit:
An amendment is needed to clearly define the public purpose activities to include
the rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation of historic buildings for public and
governmental uses, including the Carnegie Stout Public Library and the Former
U.S. Federal Building;
Section 2. That amending the Urban Renewal Plan is necessary and
appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the community in
accordance with sound planning and local community objectives.
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized and directed to prepare an
Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal
District, to forward said Plan to the City's Long Range Planning Commission for review
and comment and to begin the consultation process required by law with affected taxing
entities.
Section 4. That the City Clerk is directed to publish. notice of a public hearing on
the adoption of an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District to be held on February 19th, 2007at 6:30 p.m. in the
Carnegie-Stout Public Library Auditorium, 11th and Bluff Streets, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
and that said notice shall generally identify the areas covered by the Amended and
Restated Plan and the general scope of the Amended and Restated Plan and the
activities planned for such areas.
Section 5. That the City Clerk is further directed to send by ordinary mail a copy
of said notice of public hearing to the Dubuque Community School District, the County
Board of Supervisors and the Northeast Iowa Community College, as the affected
taxing entities.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 16th day of January, 2007.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest: Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Section 4. That the City Clerk is directed to publish notice of a public hearing on
the adoption of an Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District to be held on February 19th, 2007at 6:30 p.m. in the
Carnegie-Stout Public Library Auditorium, 11th and Bluff Streets, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
and that said notice shall generally identify the areas covered by the Amended and
Restated Plan and the general scope of the Amended and Restated Plan and the
activities planned for such areas.
Section 5. That the City Clerk is further directed to send by ordinary mail a copy
of said notice of public hearing to the Dubuque Community School District, the County
Board of Supervisors and the Northeast Iowa Community College, as the affected
taxing entities.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 16th day of January, 2007.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
F:\USERSWdejong\Urban Renewal\2007.1 Amendment\20070109 Necessary Resolution.doc
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council will conduct a public hearing on
February 19tH, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., in the Public Library Auditorium, 360 West 11tH
Street, to consider adopting an amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District. The proposed amendment, which identifies a text
amendment to the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, is as follows:
The following described areas, which are proposed to be added to the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District, are economic development areas as defined by
Chapter 403 of the Iowa Code and are appropriate for an urban renewal project, to wit:
An amendment is needed to clearly define the public purpose
activities to include the rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation of
historic buildings for public and governmental uses, including the
Carnegie Stout Public Library and the Former U.S. Federal
Building.
The City of Dubuque reserves the right to modify the boundaries of the District at some
future date. Any amendments to the Plan will be completed in accordance with Chapter
403 of the Iowa Code, Urban Renewal Law.
(Copy of the Amended Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District Plan is on file in the
City Clerk's Office and may be viewed during normal working hours.)
Written comments regarding the above amendment may be submitted to the City
Clerk's Office on or before said time of public hearing.
At said time and place of public hearing all interested citizens and parties will be given
an opportunity to be heard for or against said amendment.
Any visual or hearing impaired persons needing special assistance or persons with
special accessibility needs should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4120 or
TDD (563) 590-6678 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 16tH day of January, 2007.
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk