Plan and Zone Commission recommends approval of Whitmyer subdivision plat for Annie Wittenmeyer campus

The Davenport Plan and Zone Commission voted May 6 to forward to City Council a recommendation to approve the final plat for Whitmyer Subdivision (Case F25‑07), a five‑lot division of the Annie Wittenmeyer campus at 2800 Eastern Avenue.

The recommendation would enable the city to separate the campus into individual parcels to facilitate a conditional sale and future development of portions of the 31.9‑acre, locally and nationally listed historic district. Staff said the plat conforms with the comprehensive plan and the previously approved planned unit development and recommended approval subject to five conditions addressing sanitary and storm sewer easements, blanket access notes, and access easements for all lot owners.

City planning staff described the lot layout and the intended uses: Lot 1 (northwest corner, adjacent to Ninth Street) will remain open space and contains flood plain; Lot 2 will remain the aquatic center and continue under city ownership and operation; Lot 3 is shown for family housing (cottages); Lot 4 for senior housing in the central portion of the campus; Lot 5 along Eastern Avenue for buildings providing supportive services; and Lot 6 for city use, including the Davenport Junior Theater building. Staff said access easements will preserve existing driveways and parking so movement between lots is maintained without creating new dedicated rights of way.

Commissioners asked about stormwater. Commissioner Guaranty asked, "Is there no water retention pond in this?" Staff replied there is no detention planned on‑site at this time and that Lot 1 functions informally as floodplain; if detention is later required, staff will seek alternative locations and work with the developer at the staff level. Commissioner Schilling noted the adjacent flood plain and staff confirmed Lot 1 will remain undeveloped flood plain.

Chris Ailes, the project petitioner, told the commission, "It has been a long road. There's still a long road ahead of us, but we're making progress." He said the presented plans did not differ from previous submittals and offered to answer questions.

After discussion, the commission accepted the three findings and voted to forward Case F25‑07 to City Council with a recommendation for approval, subject to the five conditions outlined by staff. The roll call vote recorded unanimous support.

The case will next appear before the Davenport City Council for final action.