Minutes Long Range Planning Comm 2 14 07MINUTES
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
Wednesday, February 14, 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 Heiar and Dave Johnson.
Public: Brendan Houlihan, Molly Grover and Rick Dickinson.
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 Prochaska, to approve the minutes of January
17, 2007, as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska,
Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay -None.
ACTION ITEMS:
Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal
District: David Heiar, Economic Development Director for the City of Dubuque, presented
the proposed Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District. Staff Member Heiar explained that the area of the district is not
changing; rather they are further clarifying the intended use of TIF funds as they relate to
the Library and Federal Building. He explained the plan currently has language which
addresses being able to use Tax Increment Financing for the repair, restoration or
renovation of historic buildings and r®lated improvements within the district. He stated that
City legal staff felt it would be beneficial to include language that allows for the restoration,
rehabilitation and renovation of historic buildings that are used for governmental uses,
including the Carnegie-Stout Public Library and former Federal Building. Commissioner
Cline asked Staff Member Heiar to confirm that the proposed amendment and the Urban
Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District does not affect the
proposed Warehouse District. Staff Member Heiar explained that there has been some
discussion regarding expanding the Urban Renewal District to include the potential
Warehouse District; however, at this time, the amendment and Urban Renewal District
does not affect the proposed Warehouse District.
Motion by Neumeister, seconded by Cline, to recommend approval of the Amended and
Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District. Motion
carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister
and Winterwood; Nay -None.
Minutes -Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
February 14, 2007
Page 2
FY2008 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget: The Commission reviewed the
FY2008 Capital Improvement Program Budget. Chairperson Winterwood questioned the
location of Welu and Eagle Valley Parks. Staff Member Carstens showed the Commission
where the parks are located.
Motion by Oswald, seconded by Stein, to recommend approval of the FY2008 Capital
Improvement Program Budget and that it is consistent with the Dubuque Comprehensive
Plan. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein,
Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay -None; Abstain -Cline. .
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE:
Final Draft -Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives: The Commission reviewed the
final changes to the Goals and Objectives.
Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Stein, to accept the changes to the final draft of the
Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives and recommend approval of the final draft of
the Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives to City Council. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, Neumeister and
Winterwood; Nay -None.
Final Draft - 2030 Future Land Use Map: Molly Grover, President and CEO of the
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, and Brendan Houlihan, Director of Governmental
Affairs, spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Grover explained the role of
the Chamber of Commerce is to be an advocate for the business community and also
serve as a voice for the business community. She stated they were present to express the
Chamber of Commerce support for the Draft 2030 Future Land Use Map. She explained
the bubuque Area Chamber of Commerce would support the Draft 2030 Future Land Use
Map without the previously discussed two-mile agricultural buffer surrounding the Airport.
Rick Dickinson, Director of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, explained he
was present to address some of the challenges facing the development community, and
how it has an impact in the overall future of Dubuque as a community. He explained the
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation is in the beginnings of a five-year capital
campaign to raise funds. He explained the initial step in that process is to complete an
assessment within the development community. He explained the Greater Dubuque
Development Corporation met with 68 business leaders in the community and asked them
what they would identify as the greatest obstacle to growth within the Dubuque community.
He explained that 69% of the business leaders identified the availability of workforce as the
greatest obstacle. He explained that Dubuque needs to address itself as a destination of
opportunity, businesses and employment. He stated Dubuque will need to increase its
population growth to meet future demands. He explained he personally believes that
population growth will occur south of Dubuque. He stated the Route 151 and Route 61
Transportation Corridors will be a major driver of that growth. He stated he anticipates
major development south of Highway 151 around the Airport because the topography is
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February 14, 2007
Page 3
conducive to development. He also stated that once sewer and water are extended to the
Airport, this will be a driver of growth in the area. He explained that the land surrounding
the Airport is conducive to residential and industrial development. He elaborated #hat the
topography from the Technology Center to the Airport isn't suitable for industrial
development; however, it is well suited for beautiful residential subdivisions. He explained
that land will be needed to meet the residential and commercial demands of the City of
Dubuque. He explained that property within the Highway corridor as well as the proposed
two-mile land use buffer has already been purchased for future residential development.
Commissioner Prochaska asked Mr. Dickinson whether he felt there was a need for an
agricultural buffer surrounding the Airport. Mr. Dickinson explained that he respects the
Airport Commission's assessment that atwo-mile land use buffer may be justified;
however, he feels there is not a need for a land use buffer surrounding the Airport. He
explained he anticipates much of the property surrounding the Airport that is not conducive
for industrial development will be developed as residential subdivisions, and it will all
eventually be incorporated into the city of Dubuque. He stated that the GDDC is certainly
in favor of the Airport expanding services; however, he explained the Airport will never be
the size of an O'Hare Airport. He explained his opinion is that he would be much more
concerned about the artificial restriction of residential and commercial development in the
area and not the Airport's ability to expand runways in the immediate future. Chairperson
Winterwood noted that the Airport Commission was not concerned with the expansion of
runways; rather they were more concerned with the conflict of residential use and Airport
uses. Mr. Dickinson again reiterated that development is predicated on major investments
in infrastructure and the availability of transportation. He explained that with the future
extension of City services to the Airport and the area's proximity to the Route 151 and 61
Transportation Corridor, the area will be developed.
The Commission discussed Mr. Dickinson's comments as well as the maps provided by
staff. Commissioner Cline noted that the FAA currently has regu{ations which require a
certain clear distance be maintained surrounding an airport due to safety issues. She
explained the proposed two-mile land use buffer surrounding the Airport goes beyond the
FAA requirements. She reiterated that the Airport will most likely continue to be a regional
Airport. She recognized the need for future residential and commercial development, and
also explained there are a number of people wanting to incorporate into the city of
Dubuque for City services. She stated there are properties currently within the discussed
two-mile land use buffer that are wanting City services and there will be a demand for
housing and City services in the area. The Commission discussed the Airport size, number
of flights and future growth potential. The Commission noted there are existing residences
within the discussed two-mile land use buffer that do not complain about the Airport
operations. The Commission again discussed Mr. Grierson's and the Airport Commission's
comments regarding establishing a land use buffer surrounding the Airport. The
Commission recognized their concerns as being important and reiterated the importance of
opening communication with the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, the Airport
Commission and the Dubuque City Council regarding development around the Airport.
The Commission discussed the maps and the affect the two-mile land use buffer would
have on the area surrounding the airport. Chairperson Winterwood stated the majority of
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February 14, 2007
Page 4
the property within the discussed two-mile land use buffer is outside the City of Dubuque
extra-territorial jurisdiction and that incorporating atwo-mile land use buffer is outside the
scope of the plan.
Motion by Oswald, seconded by Krueger, to recommend approval of the Draft 2030 Future
Land Use Map as amended without the two-mile land use buffer surrounding the Airport.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Cline, and
Winterwood; Nay -None; Abstain -Neumeister.
Format for the Work Session with City Council: Staff Member Carstens explained that City
Council has scheduled a work session with the Commission on Monday, March 5th, to
review the Commission's recommended updates to the Goals and Objectives and the Draft
2030 Future Land Use Map. Commissioner Cline suggested that the Commission's
recommended updates be transmitted to the City Council in paper form.
Enterprise Zone Commission: Commissioner Stein stated he has no report; however, he
has appreciated the Commission's past support and would welcome the opportunity to
serve as the liaison to the Enterprise Zone Commission again.
Motion by Oswald, seconded by Prochaska, to appoint Commissioner Ridc Stein as liaison
to the Enterprise Zone Commission. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald,
Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, Gline, Neumeister and Winterwood; Nay -None.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSION: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: Staff Member Carstens stated she would collect completed
surveys for the Unified Development Code. Unfinished surveys can be submitted to the
Planning Services Department by the end of February.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner
Adopted