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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. Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 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. Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission January 17, 2007 Page 3 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. Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission January 17, 2007 Page 4 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 Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 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. Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission January 17, 2007 Page 6 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 Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission January 17, 2007 Page 7 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 Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 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, Minutes – Long Range Planning Advisory Commission January 17, 2007 Page 9 ____________________________________ _______________________ David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted