x1 = 1/2

TO: Dubuque County Zoning Commission

FROM: Ben Kober, Zoning Administrator, ben.kober@dubuquecountyiowa.gov, 563-589-7827

DATE: March 17th, 2026

RE: ZC#02-05-26: Steve & Dawn Wilwert A-1, Agricultural to A-2, Agricultural Residential

The applicants are requesting to rezone 2.551 acres from A-1, Agricultural to A-2, Agricultural Residential. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow the applicants to sell the existing farm home and farm buildings.

The property is owned by Steve and Dawn Wilwert. Surrounding land uses are predominately agricultural with some single-family residential and institutional uses in the unincorporated hamlet of Placid. Zoning in the area is A-1, Agricultural and some R-3 Single-Family Residential.

The property is located 2.5 miles south of Epworth along Placid Road and its intersection with Pleasant Grove Road East and is legally described as Lot 1 of Wilwert Farm Subdivision, Section 35, Taylor Township, Dubuque County, Iowa.

There are no previous zoning cases or special use permits attached to this property.

1-15.2 “A-1” Agricultural District “The A-1 Agricultural District is intended to conserve farmland for agricultural use well into the future and to serve as a “holding” zone to prevent premature development of land, which could impact the orderly and efficient development of the cities and urbanized areas in Dubuque County. Farmland is one of the County’s most valuable resources. Conserving farmland can help conserve energy, prevent urban sprawl, control public investment in infrastructure, maintain open space and rural character, and reduce conflicts between farming and non-farming uses. The A-1 district allows primarily farming uses and could allow some additional uses that, under special circumstances, may be appropriate in the agricultural district through a Special Use Permit. A zoning change from A-1 to another district should be done in conformance with the comprehensive plan as needs justify the change and when the specific areas can be adequately served by roads, utilities and public infrastructure and facilities.”

Staff comment: The current A-1 designation of the land in question is appropriate. There are 158 contiguous acres owned by the Wilwerts, which make up the existing farm operation, and the majority is used for agriculture.