Minutes Long Range Planning 8 15 07_~
MINUTES
LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
7:00 P.M.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT: Chairperson Charles Winterwood; Commissioners Lou Oswald, Jim
Prochaska, Otto Krueger and Rick Stein; Staff Member Dave Johnson.
ABSENT: Commissioner Patricia Cline.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting waS called to order at 7:02 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 June 20,
2007, as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska,
Krueger, Stein, and Winterwood; Nay -None.
ACTION ITEM:
Review of City Attorney's comments on Comprehensive Plan Elements: The Commission
reviewed the City Attorney's comments on the Comprehensive Plan Elements. The
Commission also reviewed the written comments submitted by Commissioners Prochaska
and Oswald. The Commission questioned why the language in the 2002 plan was
determined no longer appropriate for the current plan update. Commissioner Prochaska
questioned what degree of scrutiny those objectives were under during the 2002
Comprehensive Plan Update. Commissioner Stein responded most of the changes were
grammatical. He stated a few changes were made to make objectives less of a directive
and more of a suggestion or a guideline. The Commission noted that the majority of the
City Attorney's suggested changes were to goats and objectives that were in place in the
2002 Comprehensive Plan, rather than newly proposed objectives as part of the recent
update.
Commissioner Stein questioned what the impetus was for City Legal staff to review and
revise the goals and objectives. Staff Member Johnson explained that at the City Council
work session on the Comprehensive Plan Update, the City Council expressed concern that
the language in the plan text was too regulatory and requested City Legal staff to review
and revise the proposed goals and objectives as deemed necessary.
The Commission discussed the proposed changes by City Legal staff. The Commission
stated they had concerns that the newly introduced watered-down language sign~cantty
diminishes the effect of the plan. The Commission explained they were also concerned
that the language in the plan was indiscriminately diluted; consequently, diminishing the
effect of the plan as well as the image of the City. The Commission referenced the
infrastructure objectives as an example, noting that in many cases the diluted language
removes accountability for the provision of many basic City services that should be assured
Minutes -Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
August 15, 2007
Page 2
rather than just supported or encouraged. The Commission further used Objective 1.3 as
an example, stating the City should assure, as previously proposed, a safe water supply
that meets all local, state and federal water quality standards, rather than just support a
safe water supply that meets all local, state and federal water quality standards. The
Commission stated thatthe diluted language, particularlythatwhich removes accountability
for the provision of basic City services, are not indicative of an All America City. The
Commission explained that the City Legal staff version of the Comprehensive Plan no
longer represents the voice of the citizens and community. The Commission stated a great
deal of time and effort was put forth by community citizens, organizations, businesses and
stakeholder groups to carefully craft the Commission's recommended language in the
Comprehensive Plan Update.
The Commission expressed their concern over the use of the word "consider" throughout
the plan document. The Commission felt that the word "consider" only implies that a
discussion will be held concerning a matter, and says nothing as to whether decisions will
be made that are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission stated that
"consider" is a word which also weakens the effect of the Comprehensive Plan.
Motion by Stein, seconded by Krueger, to not accept the suggested changes made by City
Legal staff, noting the following:
1. The revisions made by the City Legal Staff lowers the standards for the City of
Dubuque as well as the previous plan currently in effect.
2. The City Legal staff revisions changes the language of important objectives of the
2002 Comprehensive Plan that have been tong-standing, accepted and worked
towards, and the public did not feel needed to be changed.
3. Basic City services should be assured, not just encouraged or supported.
4. The Community's citizens, organizations, businesses and stakeholders thoughts
and efforts in developing the update of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan should not be
ignored.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger, Stein, and
Winterwood; Nay -None.
LIAISON/SUBGOMMITTEE REPORTS:
Enterprise Zone Commission: Commissioner Stein stated at the May 8~' Enterprise Zone
Commission meeting, the New Main Development, LLC, located in the Port of Dubuque,
was approved by the Enterprise Zone Commission. He stated condos will range between
$300,000-$400,000. He stated the application met the economic enterprise requirements.
He stated the development is currently planned to be built in phases; however, if financing
changes for the development, it may be done all at once. He noted the Enterprise Zone
Commission approved the condo phase only.
Minutes -Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
August 15, 2007
Page 3
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
SDAT Steering Committee Representative: Staff Member Johnson explained the SDAT
Program as well as the five major critical land use and urban design issues identified by
Dubuque. He explained that Commissioner Neumeister was the designated representative
on the SDAT Steering Committee. He stated with her recent resignation, the Commission
needs to identify a new representative who would be willing to participate on the SDAT
Steering Committee. Chairperson Winterwood noted he is also a Long Range Planning
Advisory Commission representative which serves SDAT Steering Committee.
Motion by Prochaska, seconded by Krueger to nominate Lou Oswald as the second
representative of the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission to serve on the SDAT
Steering Committee. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska,
Krueger, Stein, and Winterwood; Nay -None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Address Change: Commissioner Krueger stated his address has changed and he now
resides at 1906 Avalon.
Commissioner Resignation: The Commission discussed the recent resignation of
Commissioner Neumeister. They explained concluded that she will be greatly missed.
Motion by Oswald, seconded by Krueger, to accept the resignation of Mary Lynn
Neumeister and send a letter of appreciation for her past efforts and contributions to the
Commission. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Oswald, Prochaska, Krueger,
S#ein, and Win#erwood; Nay -None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David, Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted
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