Zoning advisory commission recommends three subdivision plats for City Council review on June 15

The Zoning Advisory Commission recommended approval of three final subdivision plats at its June 3 meeting and will forward each to the Dubuque City Council for final action on June 15.

Planner Sheena, speaking for city staff, described the proposal for Bluff Strokes at 391 West 12th Street as a minor subdivision creating a dedicated right-of-way (Lot A) and two saleable lots. "This is a minor, minor subdivision," Sheena said, noting Lot 1 would be about 2,430 square feet and therefore substandard under the R-1 5,000-square-foot minimum; the applicant requested waivers of minimum lot size and front setbacks for Lot 1 and setbacks and lot-coverage relief for Lot 2. Applicant Gabe Bond of Origin Design said the intent is to sell Lot 2 while Lot 1 would retain the existing residence.

Commissioners raised an encroachment concern: a building was described as extending about 2.72 feet into the right-of-way. Sheena said the engineering department is working with the applicant and that the encroachment will be addressed through an appropriate license (revocable or nonrevocable) or other mechanism determined by engineering.

On the county-jurisdiction item, Bond described the Bucks Run final plat (off White Top Road) as splitting two existing lots into four and establishing a 66-foot Bucks Run Lane with a 10-foot private utility easement. "This is within the 2 mile extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city in Dubuque," assistant planner Travis Shrubeljan said, explaining Lots 2 and 3 lack frontage and therefore require a waiver of minimum lot frontage. Staff said no public input had been received on the application in the packet.

Rose Schneider of Schneider Land Surveying requested approval of the Tamarack Southeast 5th subdivision on Bronzewood Drive and a waiver of street frontage for Lot 2 to allow a planned shift of about 30 feet to expand parking. Staff noted Lot 2 already lacked frontage and that access is provided by an existing easement off Brownswood that records back to 1998.

In each case the commission moved to recommend approval of the final plats subject to the waivers described and voted to send the recommendations to the City Council, which will consider the items on June 15. The meeting concluded after brief commissioner remarks and presentation of a certificate of appreciation to a departing member.

Votes at a glance - Bluff Strokes final plat (391 West 12th Street): Motion to recommend approval subject to waivers for Lot 1 (minimum lot size, front setbacks) and Lot 2 (front/side setbacks, lot-coverage). Motion passed; recommendation forwarded to City Council for the June 15 agenda. - Bucks Run final plat (off White Top Road): Motion to recommend approval subject to waiving minimum lot frontage requirements for Lots 2 and 3. Motion passed; recommendation forwarded to City Council for the June 15 agenda. - Tamarack Southeast 5th (Bronzewood Drive): Motion to recommend approval and waive minimum street frontage for Lot 2. Motion passed; recommendation forwarded to City Council for the June 15 agenda.

Next steps All three recommendations will appear on the Dubuque City Council agenda on June 15 for final action. The engineering department will pursue any necessary licenses or encroachment agreements for the Bluff Strokes lot that encroaches on the right-of-way.