Plan & Zone Commission rejects City request to vacate portion of Locust-area alley (ROW25-01)

The Davenport Plan and Zone Commission on Feb. 18 voted 1–8 against recommending that the City of Davenport vacate a portion of unimproved alley right of way north of Locust Street between Bell Avenue and Dougalby Street (case ROW25-01).

City planning staff told the commission the portion proposed for vacation measures about 20 feet wide by about 440 feet long — roughly 8,840 square feet — and was dedicated with the recording of the subdivision plat but never developed by the city. Matt (city planning staff) said the staff recommendation was to forward findings and a condition to the city council that would allow conveyance negotiations to proceed, and he summarized the recommendation by saying “the alley right of way is not needed for a public purpose.”

The commission’s vote ends its consideration of the petition without a recommendation to city council. A roll call produced one vote in favor (Commissioner Maness) and eight votes against (Dunlap, Eichelberry, Johnson,…