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Council approves rezoning on Valeria Street to allow duplexes and townhomes
Summary
The council approved rezoning three parcels on Valeria Street from R1 (single‑family) to R2A (alternate two‑family), allowing duplexes and smaller lots. Planning staff said the Zoning Advisory Commission recommended approval 5–0 and the ordinance passed 7–0 after council discussed setbacks, parking and neighborhood impact.
The Dubuque City Council on July 20 voted 7–0 to rezone three parcels on Valeria Street from R1 (single‑family) to R2A (alternate two‑family), a change staff said would allow duplexes, townhomes and narrower lots to support smaller, more affordable housing.
Planning Services Director Wally Wormont described the site as a long‑vacant former quarry and said the change aligns the parcels with adjacent R2A zoning. He noted required off‑street parking, sidewalk installation along Valeria Street, and that maximum building height and unit counts remain similar to current rules: "The change from R1 to R2A really just adds townhouses and duplexes as permitted uses," Wormont said.
Wormont said property owners within 200 feet were notified; staff received a few inquiries and two residents spoke in opposition at the zoning advisory commission meeting, citing concerns about traffic and parking. The Zoning Advisory Commission nonetheless recommended approval 5–0.
Council members discussed density and parking requirements. "The land's been sitting idle for nearly 100 years, and I'm happy to see a smaller developer stepping up," one councilor said. The council waived the three readings and approved final consideration and passage of the rezoning ordinance by a 7–0 roll call.
The ordinance allows up to two units per lot or laterally attached townhomes in the R2A district and requires two off‑street parking spaces per dwelling unit at the time of development.
