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Commission tables Woolworth rezoning after commission members question A2 criteria and access
Summary
The commission tabled a request to rezone about 5.9 acres for the Woolworth properties after extended discussion about farm-exemption criteria, potential spot zoning and unclear access/easement arrangements; commissioners asked for applicant presence and clarified conditions to preserve agricultural density.
The Dubuque County Zoning Commission paused consideration of a rezoning request from Steven and Don Woolworth after an extended debate over whether the change would be consistent with A2 zoning criteria and whether it risked creating a precedent for spot zoning.
Staff presented the proposal to rezone roughly 5.91 acres from A1 (agricultural) to A2 (agricultural-residential) to allow the applicants to sell the existing farmhouse and to establish a separate new dwelling on a small lot. The request would create a small residential parcel separate from the larger farm ownership.
Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant’s representative on several points: whether the parcel met the intended A2 standards to support continued farming operations; whether tying a larger remainder parcel as a condition would preserve agricultural density; and how access and easements would be provided to any remaining or sold parcels. One commissioner characterized the proposal as potentially creating a development "loophole."
At one point during the discussion, a committee member stated, "This to me is more of spot zoning than I've ever seen before," expressing concern that the rezoning could establish a difficult precedent. Staff replied that there are procedural steps and conditions (including tying remaining acreage and clarifying access/easements) that could limit unintended subdivision, and recommended bringing the applicants back in person with a clearer site plan and proposed easement language.
After debate, the commission voted to table the Woolworth rezoning and the associated plat so staff can obtain clearer plans and the applicants can appear to explain the full proposal and any intended conditions. The commission instructed staff to prepare options for conditions tying the rezoned area to remaining acreage or other measures to maintain agricultural density if that is the body’s intended outcome.
What’s next: The item is tabled; staff will ask the applicant to return with a refined plan and suggested conditions. Commissioners indicated they want explicit access/easement language and evidence that the requested zoning aligns with the A2 intent before reconsidering the case.
No final vote on the rezoning was taken; the tabling motion passed by roll call.
