Council approves land sale and PUD for 25‑unit veterans village in Rock Island

The Rock Island City Council approved a planned-unit development (PUD), rezoning and sale of city-owned property to Community Home Partners to build a 25‑unit veterans village with a community center.

Community Development Director Myles Grader described the project as permanent supportive housing for veterans consisting of 25 small homes arranged behind a roughly 1‑acre flag lot reserved by the city for future retail. Staff recommended approval, and council members noted the project’s novelty and regional interest.

Aldermen approved the final plat with variances, rezoning to a PUD/B-3 designation where required, and the sale of the city parcel. Roll-call votes recorded all present alderpersons voting aye on each item.

Project details and support

Myles Grader told the council the concept is “a veterans village” that "would be the first of its kind in the region," and that staff supported the requested variances because of the development’s design. The council noted public interest: Grader said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth had expressed support for the project during a recent visit.

Council action and votes

Item 8A (final PUD and subdivision plat with variances) was moved and seconded; on roll call each present alderperson voted aye. Item 8B (rezoning of the Solomon site to a PUD/B-3 classification) and Item 8C (sale of city-owned property to Community Home Partners) likewise passed on unanimous roll-call votes.

Next steps

With sale documents authorized and the plat approved, the city manager was authorized to execute sale agreements and related documents; staff will proceed with final administrative steps and building-permit review. The city will retain the roughly 1‑acre frontage lot for future retail development as described by staff.

The council treated these items as a coordinated package of land-use approvals; no dissenting council votes were recorded.