Minutes_Zoning Advisory Commission 12 2 15 Dubuque
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 2, 2015
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Pat Norton; Commission Members Laura
Roussel], Steve Baumhover, Martha Christ, and Tom Henschel; Staff Members Kyle
Kritz and Guy Hemenway.
Commissioners Excused: Michael Belmont and Kristin Dietzel
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Norton at 6:00 p.m.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the
meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: The minutes of the November 4, 2015 Zoning Advisory Commission meeting
were approved unanimously as submitted.
ACTION ITEMS/Plat of Survey: Application of John Dolter, 2676 Central Avenue,
for Plat of Survey Dolter Place No. 2.
Chairperson Norton stepped away from the table due to a conflict and Vice Chairperson
Henschel presided.
John Dolter, 2117 Orchard Drive, said that he would like to subdivide his lot so as to
facilitate sale of the property.
Staff Member Kritz noted the property location, history and various uses and buildings
on the lot. He said that Mr. Do]ter's intent is to separate the house and the commercial
building. He said that the property was otherwise compliant and recommended
approval subject to waiving the lot area requirement for Lot 1.
Commissioners discussed the request and felt that it was appropriate.
Motion by Christ, seconded by Roussell, to approve the Plat of Survey for Dolter Place
No. 2 subject to waiving the lot area requirement for Lot 1. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — Christ, Baumhover, Roussell, Henschel; Nay— None: Abstain —
Norton.
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December 2, 2015
PUBLIC HEARING/REZONING: Application of JD&C, LLC, northwest corner of Elm &
11th Streets, to amend the Historic Millwork District Planned Unit Development to
accommodate an off-street parking lot.
Janice Roerig Blong, stated that she has purchased and renovated the old Geisler
Building. She said that she would like to pave the former gravel storage area to provide
additional off-street parking for the business.
Staff Member Kritz noted the applicant's request is to amend the Historic Millwork
District PUD to permit a surface parking lot. He said that surface lots in the HMD PUD
require both an amendment to the district and City Council approval. He said that the
intent of the ordinance is to encourage use of the City's parking facilities and adaptive
reuse of existing building stock and to discourage the demolition of older buildings to
create surface parking lots. He noted that the subject property was a vacant graveled
lot that had been used for storage. He said that if approved the lot would have to be
paved and landscaped per the HMD design guidelines. He noted that the amendment
was specific to the subject property and not applicable to the entire district.
Commissioners discussed the request and felt that it was appropriate.
Motion by Christ, seconded by Baumhover, to approve the request to amend the Historic
Millwork District PUD to permit a surface parking lot at the corner of Elm and 11th Streets.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Christ, Baumhover, Roussell, Henschel and
Norton; Nay — None.
PUBLIC HEARING/REZONING: Application of Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners to
rezone property located at 2222 Queen Street from R-2A Alternate Two-Family
Residential District to OR Office Residential District.
Brian Sweeney, representing Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners, reviewed the plans to
renovate Sacred Heart's old school building to create 28 senior apartments. He submitted
a letter of support from the Sacred Heart Parish. He said that they have met with the North
End Neighborhood. He discussed financing for the project.
Frank Miller, 602 E. 22nd Street, noted that he is a long time resident of the neighborhood
and that he is in favor of the project. He said that a vacant building is not beneficial to the
neighborhood. He said that redevelopment of the old school building will be a good project
and will compliment changes in the neighborhood that include the Bee Branch restoration
and the reopening of a new cafe space. He said that the property is within walking
distance of a drug store and supermarket and is well-served by public transportation. He
urged the Commission to vote in favor of the project.
Staff Member Hemenway reiterated the request noting that the facility will provide 18 off-
street parking spaces which he said exceeds the City's standard. He discussed the
Minutes —Zoning Advisory Commission Page 3
December 2, 2015
surrounding land use and the uses permitted in the OR district. He noted the low traffic
volumes on the surrounding streets and that senior housing tends to generate little
vehicular traffic. He said that the project represented a creative reuse of an historic
structure.
Commissioner Roussell thanked Mr. Miller for his generous comments. Commissioner
Baumhover said that the project was a great opportunity for the community. Commission
Chair Norton said that he felt the project represented an excellent reuse of an old church
building.
Motion by Christ, seconded by Henschel, to approve the rezoning request as submitted.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Baumhover, Christ, Roussell, Henschel and
Norton; Nay - None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle L. Kritz, Associate Planner Adopted