DECEMBER 1, 2014 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
The regular meeting of the Peosta Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 6:05 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2014. Commissioners present were: Justin Lau, Deb McDonough, Bob Orr and Brian Recker. Absent: Roxanne Gartner. Others present: Dan Fox, transportation planner at ECIA.
Motion by Brian Recker, seconded by Justin Lau to approve the agenda. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Brian Recker, seconded by Justin Lau to approve the minutes from the November 3, 2014 meeting. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Justin Lau, seconded by Deb McDonough to approve the Plat of Survey of Kelly Oaks Estates No. 2 in the City of Peosta, Dubuque County, Iowa. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
The group reviewed the Public Infrastructure and Utilities draft chapter, Brian Recker thanked Dan Fox for updating the utility map to show the Alliant and Maquoketa Valley Electric territories in Peosta; Dan said he will continue to look for more detailed utility map information.
Motion by Deb McDonough, seconded by Brian Recker to approve the Public Infrastructure and Utilities draft chapter. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
The Transportation draft chapter was reviewed; Bob Orr asked if the number of miles of local streets should be in the draft chapter, Dan said this is something that should be easy to estimate. Brian Recker commented that this would be good information to include if there was ever discussion about putting sidewalks throughout the City, it could also be a good basic reference number when thinking about street maintenance costs. Brian asked what the meaning of “complete streets” is; Dan said it could mean bike paths (lanes) in the streets; the term will be replaced with all modes of transportation (in goal 7.3).
Motion by Bob Orr, seconded by Brian Recker to approve the Transportation draft chapter. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Dan explained the sections of the Economic Development draft chapter. A lot of the available data is difficult to find at the city level; the data in this chapter is at the county level. Peosta data showing employment inflow and outflow comes from census data and unemployment report filing, Dan will see if there is more current data available and if there is he will replace the 2009 chart. Dan will add more information about the industrial park using the 1996 Peosta Community Builder Plan for reference. Dan said that once the land use chapter is done, the group may want to come back to the economic development chapter and give it another review. Deb said goal 12 had changes discussed at the last meeting that need to be updated before approval of the draft chapter.
Motion by Brian Recker to approve the Economic Development draft chapter after making the recommended changes, seconded by Deb McDonough. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Dan added new charts to the Housing draft chapter showing housing occupancy and housing tenure comparing the years 2000 and 2010. The chapter talks about the cost of home ownership, often renters are paying a larger percentage of their income towards housing. Dan wanted to get the groups opinion on future needs for housing; there may be additional demand for senior housing. Dan asked if there were any other future needs that should be pointed out in this chapter. The group would like to have a chart showing how many housing units have been constructed over the last ten (10) years included in this chapter. The Clerk will compile the building permit information for the chapter. Dan will add a couple of paragraphs to the Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) section including the number of units. Justin Lau asked if it would be appropriate to change the word “promote” in the goals and objectives to “encourage”. Dan will make the recommended changes to the chapter for the next meeting.
There will be a public input session at the December 9 City Council meeting on the comprehensive plan draft chapters (Introduction, Community Character and Community Facilities) that have been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and Council.
The next chapters to be reviewed are Ag and Natural Resources and Hazard Mitigation.
Motion by Brian Recker, seconded by Justin Lau to adjourn at 7:09 p.m. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Snyder
City Clerk