The Dubuque Zoning Advisory Commission recommended Sept. 3 that the City Council approve a rezoning of a vacant parcel at the northwest corner of Keystone Drive and Keyway Drive from R2 (two‑family) to R3 (moderate‑density multifamily), allowing the applicant, Greg Williams, to build four apartment units and live on the property. The matter will go to City Council on Sept. 15.

Williams told the commission he intends to be an owner‑occupant and described a slab‑style fourplex to avoid interior stairs. “I do plan on being owner occupied,” Williams said, adding that he has attempted neighborhood outreach and that he would manage the property himself.

Several nearby homeowners opposed the rezoning on aesthetic and traffic grounds. “The 1718 Hundred Block of Keyway is all residential,” said Rachel Cole, who lives at 1896 Keyway, and asked whether an apartment building opposite single‑family homes would reduce nearby property values. Mark Hartman, who lives at 1899 Keyway, called the location “a very quiet neighborhood” and said adding curb cuts and a parking lot at the corner would be “a huge eyesore.”

City staff described the parcel as about one quarter acre and noted utilities and frontage are in place. “The proposed rezoning would create a new R3 District in the neighborhood and would change the zoning designation for the subject property only,” Assistant Planner Jason Duba said, adding that the site would require site plan review and landscaping if developed as a multifamily building. Staff said the city’s comprehensive plan encourages infill and a mix of housing options and observed there are several multifamily properties zoned R3 within two blocks to the north.

Opponents raised parking and safety concerns; an adjacent property owner who spoke to the applicant before the hearing asked the applicant to revise the parking layout to reduce headlights shining toward homes across the creek. Williams said he would consider additional shrubs or a fence to shield lighting and that the building setback (20 feet minimum front yard) and the public right‑of‑way provide additional separation from the curb.

After discussion the commission voted to recommend the rezoning to City Council. Commissioners recorded votes during the meeting that were read into the record; the commission chair announced the motion passed and scheduled the item for council consideration on Sept. 15.