A motion was made by Ms. Wulfkuhle and seconded by Mr. Klien to approve the application with the condition that the building would have gutters and downspouts to ensure that water runoff was not directed to the neighboring property. The motion passed unanimously. Vote: 5-0.
Speaking in support of the variance to the board:
Benjamin Beard of 1854 Churchill Dr. Dubuque, IA.
Mr. Beard noted that the site location was selected based on topography and a few mature trees that he wanted to keep out of the dripline of the building.
A motion was made by Ms. Welty and seconded by Mr. Link to approve the variance application with the condition that the building would have gutters and downspouts to ensure that water runoff was not directed to the neighboring property. The motion passed unanimously. Vote: 5-0.
Speaking in support of the variance to the board:
Cory Pfab 6333 Olde Davenport Rd. La Motte, IA.
Speaking against the variance to the board:
Erin and Jessie Maloy of 3460 Bernard Rd. Bernard, IA.
Erin and Jessie Maloy highlighted safety concerns with the existing site and included historic imagery from google street view that they provided to the board. The family has a home close to the Anhydrous storage and was present at the last zoning meeting that enabled the single tank to be built on site. The couple also addressed several nuisance concerns that they thought might impact on the safety of the site including general disorganization, long term storage of vehicles not related to farming, unkept weeds and poor paving conditions. Another concern was whether or not local fire departments had any kind of safety plan for anhydrous tanks.
Board discussion centered on questions to applicant about the safety of the site and were concerned with the sites' cluttered appearance and impacts that could have on the safety of the site.
Mr. Schroeder voiced some concerns about the unsafe appearance of the site based on the photos provided by Erin and Jessie Maloy.
Ms. Welty voiced that she would not support the application based on past violations and lack of adherence to rules thus far as set forth by the zoning commission.