Minutes Long Range Planning 01_17_07
MINUTES
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
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, Patricia Cline and Mary Lynn Neumeister;
Staff Members Laura Carstens, David Johnson and Bob Grierson.
ABSENT:
None.
________________________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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 Stein, seconded by Krueger, to approve the minutes of December
20, 2006, as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye – Oswald, Prochaska,
Krueger, Stein, Klein, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: REVISED GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES:
Chairperson Winterwood opened the public hearings for the
Comprehensive Plan Update revised goals and objectives.
Land Use & Urban Design Element: Chairperson Winterwood asked for comments.
Katrina Wilberding, 3715 Asbury Road, questioned whether any language was
incorporated into the land use and urban design element which addresses urban sprawl
and smart growth initiatives. She explained the Land Use And Urban Design goals and
objectives should look at encouraging compact development and development that builds
upward instead of outward in an effort to conserve land. The Commission reviewed the
proposed goals and objectives for the Land Use And Urban Design Element which were
applicable to Ms. Wilberding’s concerns.
Staff Member Carstens read the written comments received at the open house on the Land
Use and Urban Design Element. The first comment suggested that proposed changes in
land use are reviewed by staff and presented with a thorough assessment of the impact or
effect of such change on all elements of the Long Range Plan. The second suggested
change was to promote and encourage review and input regarding proposed land use
changes by appropriate public, community, private groups and committees. She explained
that she believed the suggested changes were intended to be new objectives without
reference to any specific goal.
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January 17, 2007
Page 2
The Commission discussed the suggested changes and felt the current proposed Land
Use and Urban Design goals and objectives adequately addressed the concerns.
Staff Member Carstens stated the Zoning Advisory Commission reviewed the Land Use
and Urban Design, Transportation, Infrastructure, Environmental Quality and Economic
Development Elements. She stated the Zoning Advisory Commission has recommended
Objective 4.7 of the Land Use and Urban Design Element be changed to read, “Promote
open space on undeveloped and underdeveloped remaining land along bluff lines and
riverfront.” The Commission felt that the word “protect” should remain in the objective
since it recognizes existing land uses along the bluff as well as promotes open space on
the undeveloped and underdeveloped remaining land. No changes were made based on
this comment.
No changes were made to the proposed Land Use and Urban Design goals and objectives.
Transportation Element: Dawn Frommelt, Prudential Realty, explained that their
corporation has a continued focus on transportation opportunities, venues and
improvements. She asked for the continued support for airport expansion. The
Commission reviewed proposed goals and objectives from the Transportation Element
which addressed Ms. Frommelt’s concerns.
Bob Grierson, Dubuque Regional Airport Manager, expressed his support for the
Transportation goals and objectives. He explained the importance of Dubuque’s growth
and its impact on the airport’s ability to expand carrier and cargo services.
Staff Member Carstens read a suggested change to the Transportation Element,
“Coordinate transportation with schools, places of employment, shopping and recreational
areas and events to better utilize infrastructure, reduce costs and increase revenues.” The
Commission discussed the suggested change and felt the current proposed Transportation
goals and objectives appropriately addressed the concerns of the written public comment.
No changes were made to the proposed goals and objectives for the Transportation
Element.
Housing Element: No comments or changes were made.
Health Element: No comments or changes were made.
Human Services Element: No comments or changes were made.
Education Element: No comments or changes were made.
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January 17, 2007
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Recreation Element: Judy Curtis, 1951 Alta Vista, discussed providing additional
opportunities for skate parks in other areas of the city. She explained that McAleece Park
is not accessible to many people who skateboard in the city. Chairperson Winterwood
explained that the Commission intentionally did not identify specific sports in the goals and
objectives because they did not want to limit or prioritize any one particular sport. The
Commission discussed the proposed goals and objectives of the Recreation Element and
felt that they adequately address Ms. Curtis’s suggestion. Commissioner Cline added that
the City has budgeted for a future skate park at Usha Park. Staff Member Carstens
suggested that Ms. Curtis attend the Leisure Services budget hearing, where they would
discuss specific projects, such as a skate park.
Staff Member Carstens stated that a written suggestion was received from the open house
to add a new objective to Goal #1, which states, “Encourage partnerships with local and
state organizations to acquire park/open spaces.” The Commission stated that adding
partnerships to the current proposed Objective 1.4 would address the concerns, and
recommended Objective 1.4 be changed to read, “Continue to identify funding sources and
partnerships for land acquisition and development.”
Cultural Arts Element: Peg Hudson, past President of the Dubuque Symphony and current
member of the Envision 2010 Performing Arts Center Committee, explained she would like
to endorse Objective 7.4, which encourages the establishment of a performing arts center
and/or a concert hall for large venue concerts. She felt that Objective 7.4 supports the
Envision 2010 Performing Arts Center Committee’s efforts for establishing a performing
arts center. She requested that the Commission consider specifically identifying areas in
the downtown and cultural corridor for the performing arts center.
The Commission discussed the Cultural and Entertainment District, and explained they
intentionally avoided identifying any specific areas in the goals and objectives, because
they did not want to limit potential locations for a performing arts center. Staff Member
Carstens explained that the Port of Dubuque and Downtown area are contained within the
Cultural and Entertainment District, and both allow this type of use.
Staff Member Carstens stated there was a suggestion from the open house written
comments to add to the end of Objective 6.1, “and the use of our historic resources as
venues for artistic and cultural events.” She stated the same person also recommended a
new objective 6.6 to read, “Focus efforts for the re-use of structures within the Millworking
District as an arts and cultural mecca for Dubuque.” The final comment was a
recommendation to add, “Targeted first towards public resources (as opposed to
residential areas) and those historic areas in greatest need of revitalization” to the end of
Objective 6.5.
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January 17, 2007
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The Commission discussed the proposed changes and recommended Objective 6.1 be
changed to read, “Promote the preservation of historic buildings and architectural
resources in the community with emphasis in areas of greatest need.”
The Commission felt the other suggestions were adequately covered in the current
proposed Cultural Arts goals and objectives.
Public Safety Element: Staff Member Carstens reviewed the comments received from the
open house. She stated there was a suggestion received, which read, “Address the use
meth and how it is ruining our kids.” The Commission discussed the suggested change
and felt it was addressed a number of times in the Public Safety Element. No changes
were made.
Diversity Element: Staff Member Carstens stated there were four suggested changes from
the open house received for the Diversity Element. The first reads, “Encourage
assimilation of language and dress to prevent problems.” The next suggested change
was, “Support and implement federal, state, and local laws on immigration, vagrancy,
drugs and public displays of vulgarity. Stress that all persons regardless of color, sex, or
national origin, are subject to the same laws, policies and benefits.” Staff Member
Carstens explained the fourth suggestion is more of a comment, which reads, “Why are we
allowing reverse discrimination? We are to the point we are afraid of living or even
speaking to a black person as they are forever saying racism and all we want is for all of
us to get along.” The Commission discussed the comments and suggested changes and
they felt the first suggestion contradicted the intent of the Cultural Arts Elements goals and
objectives. They felt the second suggestion was addressed in the Public Safety Element.
No recommended changes were made based on these comments.
Infrastructure Element: Staff Member Carstens read a written comment suggesting a new
proposed objective 4.8 to read, “Develop a land use plan that is consistent with real estate
values adjacent to the Southwest Arterial. The value will most likely be commercial, not
residential, as shown. Access across the Southwest Arterial near Catfish Creek will be
highly desired, and if not planned for, may become a victim of individual zoning requests
and additional Southwest Arterial accesses similar to the Northwest Arterial.” The
Commission and staff discussed the proposed new objective, and Chairperson
Winterwood requested the comment be deferred to the public hearing of the
Comprehensive Plan Update 2030 Future Land Use Map.
Environmental Quality Element: Staff Member Carstens read a written comment,
proposing a new Goal #7 which would state, “Encourage practices which restore native
ecosystems, including fire clearing and herbicides.” She explained there was an additional
comment which read, “Encourage City to lead ecological restoration by planning and
restoring City parks.” The Commission discussed the proposed changes and felt the
Environmental Quality Element would be better served by not citing specific practices to
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January 17, 2007
Page 5
restore native ecosystems. They felt the language in the current proposed Environmental
Quality goals and objectives more appropriately encourages the preservation and
maintenance of native ecosystems without limiting it to certain practices or techniques.
The Commission felt the suggested comment was adequately addressed under the
Environmental Quality Element; however, they felt it may be appropriate to also include it
in the Recreation goals and objectives.
The Commission recommended Objective 7.2 in the Recreation Element be changed to
read, “provide flowers and other landscaping accents to enhance the beauty of all park
areas and City-owned property, including use of indigenous plants, where possible.”
Staff Member Carstens read a second written suggestion for a new objective which stated,
“To promote residential and business use of rain gardens and other ecologically friendly
practices to minimize runoff.” The Commission felt that the suggestion was already
incorporated in the proposed Environmental Quality goals and objectives.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed another suggested change to Objective 3.3 to include
landscaping in the objective. The Commission agreed it would be a beneficial addition and
recommended Objective 3.3 be changed to read, “Remove barriers to, explore incentives
for, and encourage green building and landscaping principles.”
Staff Member Carstens next read a suggested new Objective 7.8, “To protect the few
remaining open and underdeveloped areas along the bluffs as public space.” The
Commission felt this was already addressed in the goals and objectives, and did not
recommend a new objective.
Staff Member Carstens next read a written suggestion to leave in the language, “Concern
to the evolving understanding of” in Objective 7.1. She explained that the person making
this suggestion elaborated that restoration is still evolving, and there is no single expert
technique. The Commission agreed and felt Objective 7.1 should read, “Identify, restore,
and protect areas of rare, native and sensitive habitat (including prairies and woodlands)
with concern to the evolving understanding of expertise and current management
techniques.”
Staff Member Carstens also explained that it was suggested to make Objective 7.5 a new
Objective 5.8, make Objective 7.7 the new Objective 8.6, and make Objective 8.5 the new
Objective 7.6. The Commission agreed, stating that those objectives would be more
appropriately located under the new identified goals, and recommended the change.
Economic Development Element: No changes were made to this element.
City Fiscal Element: No changes were made to this element.
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January 17, 2007
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Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska, to recommend to the City Council adoption of
the 14 Comprehensive Plan Elements as amended. Motion carried by the following vote:
Aye – Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Klein, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None.
Chairperson Winterwood closed the Comprehensive Plan Element portion of the public
hearing and opened the 2030 Future Land Use Map portion of the public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING/ COMPREHENSVE PLAN UPDATE: 2030 FUTURE LAND USE
MAP:
Bob Grierson, Dubuque Regional Airport Manager, addressed the Commission
regarding land uses and existing zoning within the Airport environment. He discussed the
greatest concentration of accidents occur within five miles of an airport. He explained that
noise from flights and other residual effects of airport operations suggests that the best
land uses surrounding an airport are agricultural or industrial. He expressed concern with
the County’s R-2 zoning, which surrounds the Airport, and the 2030 Future Land Use
Map’s designation of residential to the north and east of the Airport. He explained how
residential land uses are incompatible with airport operations and would limit the Airport’s
ability to expand in the future. He stated a two-mile radius of agricultural land from the
geographic center of the Airport would help address his concerns.
The Commission discussed Mr. Grierson’s comments and agreed with his concerns. The
Commission stated the City of Dubuque 2030 Future Land Use Map can be changed to
reflect Mr. Grierson’s comments; however, the City has no authority regarding the zoning
surrounding the Airport. The Commission felt that the Dubuque County Board of
Supervisors should be aware of Mr. Grierson’s concerns.
Motion by Cline, seconded by Prochaska, to transmit the Airport Commission’s concerns
regarding land uses and zoning which surround the airport to the City Council, and to
suggest they open communication with the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors
regarding the Airport Commission’s comments. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye
– Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Klein, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None.
Jon Luckstead, Tamarack Business Park, commented that Tamarack Business Park is
misrepresented on the City of Dubuque 2030 Future Land Use Map. He stated the shape
and area of the business park is not accurately depicted. The Commission directed staff to
investigate the current size of the business park and make the necessary changes to the
map.
Staff Member Carstens read a written suggestion from the open house which stated,
“Develop a land use plan that is consistent with real estate values adjacent to the
Southwest Arterial. The value will most likely be commercial, not residential, as shown.
Access across the Southwest Arterial near Catfish Creek will be highly desirable, if not
planned for may become victim of individual zoning requests and additional Southwest
Arterial access similar to the Northwest Arterial.” Staff Member Carstens explained the
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January 17, 2007
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reason why the land use plan map depicts residential around the Southwest Arterial is that
there is no planned access to the Southwest Arterial. She stated the major difference
between the Southwest Arterial and the Northwest Arterial is the Northwest Arterial has
intersections periodically. She explained that because access is limited on the Southwest
Arterial, commercial development will also be limited. She explained commercial
development will be limited to those areas with an interchange, such as U.S. 20, U.S. 151
and North Cascade Road. She explained the Southwest Arterial is designed to be a
limited controlled access highway, and that’s why there is not a lot of planned commercial
area along the Arterial. The Commission agreed, and recommended no changes based on
the Southwest Arterial comments.
The next written comment received stated, “Dubuque has and continues to grow west with
buildings and population, but still relies on three major east/west streets to get people
there. Two of these streets are still two-lane. There needs to be better planning on
east/west traffic flow if we are to continue to grow west.” Chairperson Winterwood
explained the City has the East/West Corridor Study, which is currently underway to
address these issues. The Commission discussed the suggestion and decided it would be
best addressed in the next land use plan update once the Corridor Study is completed.
Staff Member Carstens read the next written comment, which stated, “I believe residential
and light or heavy industrial land uses should not abut each other. A buffer zoning would
be much more appropriate. This would solve many future problems including lowering the
City’s liability.” Staff Member Johnson explained that the comments were directed towards
those areas on the Future Land Use Plan map where higher density residential areas are
directly adjacent to industrial areas. He stated those could be considered inconsistent
land uses. Staff Member Carstens explained that not in every case would an industrial
land use be inconsistent with residential land uses. She stated that often times, newly
established industrial parks are regulated by the planned unit development ordinance and
restrictive covenants and may not be considered any more of an impact than residential
land uses adjacent to commercial land uses. Commissioner Neumeister stated that the
industrial parks that incorporate open space and screening berms can be nice to look at.
She felt aesthetic issues can be managed through property site plan review. Staff Member
Carstens noted that not all industrial land uses are a planned development. Staff Member
Johnson added that the impact of industrial land uses can sometimes go beyond
aesthetics, such as noise, odor and dust. No changes were made to the map based on the
suggested comment.
Staff Member Carstens read the next comment, which stated, “The large area marked next
to residential, located along the Mississippi bluff line between Four Mounds and Eagle
Point is one of the last undeveloped areas along our bluff. With Mines of Spain at the
south, Eagle Point to the north, and Four Mounds at the top of the map, it makes sense
that we do whatever we can to preserve this area for public use. There will be no more
options for preservation in the city once this area of land is developed. This opportunity is
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January 17, 2007
Page 8
fleeting, and we must cease it while we can.” The Commission agreed and discussed the
existing land uses in the area. The Commission discussed the A. Y. McDonald estate and
home. Staff Member Carstens stated that aside from the home, the remainder of the
estate is farm operation and woods. The Commission recommended that with the
exception of the A. Y. McDonald home, the remainder of the estate be designated as open
space.
Commission and staff reviewed that the Tamarack Business Park should be changed to
reflect the current zoning and light industrial designations. The McDonald estate is to be
designated as open space, with the exception of the actual A. Y. McDonald house.
Motion by Neumeister, seconded by Prochaska, to recommend approval of the 2030
Future Land Use Map to the City Council as amended. Aye – Oswald, Prochaska,
Krueger, Stein, Klein, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay - None.
Chairperson Winterwood closed the public hearing on the 2030 Future Land Use Map.
Chairperson Winterwood left the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
LIAISON/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Enterprise Zone Commission: Commissioner Stein clarified that the Durrant Group will be
located in the Adams Company building. He directed the Commission’s attention to the
artist renderings for the Port of Dubuque developments and explained that the Adams
Company building was the project reviewed by the Enterprise Zone Commission and
discussed at last month’s meeting.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC
: There were no items from the public.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Election of Officers: Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Cline, to nominate Charles
Winterwood as Chairperson for the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission. Motion
carried by the following vote: Aye – Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Klein and
Neumeister; Nay - None.
Motion by Neumeister, seconded by Oswald, to nominate Jim Prochaska as Vice
Chairperson for the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye – Oswald, Krueger, Stein, Klein and Neumeister ; Nay – None;
Abstain –Prochaska.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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January 17, 2007
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____________________________________ _______________________
David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted