In Davenport, Iowa, by a 4-2 vote, the Comprehensive Plan Committee of the Plan and Zoning Commission recommended that the full, 11-member commission change the long-range use map to turn a 40-acre farm field into a planned development district, or PDD. The new map would allow a proposed 0 million land-based casino complex, including a seven-story, 143-room hotel and1,500-seat event center, at Interstates 80 and 74.
John Gere, chairman of the comprehensive plan committee, said he voted in favor of changing the land-use map because existing homes and the casino were a half-mile apart. He added some of his concerns about traffic had been answered. Senior Planning Manager Matt Flynn also recommended approval of the land-use amendment, since he noted the new map “does not constitute a radical change,” and there will be “minimal, if any, impact to these neighborhoods by the proposed development.”
Still, committee member Bob Martin voted no due to concerns about accessibility. “You can spit on the interstate from there, but it’s not easy to get on and off it,” he said.
Previously, the commission held a public hearing to share information about zoning changes that would have to be made if Scott County Casino is allowed to develop the property.
Residents expressed concerns over traffic impacts, noise pollution, effects on property values and future high-end residential developments. Tom Jacobson, president of Jersey Farms Neighborhood Association, said, “I think there are more details to be developed and really what Plan and Zoning decides to do is going to be a big part of how this proceeds.”
At the public meeting, both the residents’ group and Brent Morlok of development associates McClure Engineering presented perspective drawings showing different ideas of what the casino would look like from the nearest residential developments. Morlok said, “The ones we did were done by our design team of architects. They have obviously some sophisticated software to be able to do so. Obviously, with just seeing the neighbors’ presentation, we can’t really comment on the accuracy of theirs.”
The full Plan and Zoning Commission will make a decision on the zoning change request at its September 30 meeting. The city council is expected to hear that recommendation at its October 1 committee-of-the-whole meeting and vote on the issue on October 8.
