Commission tables decision on vacating Locust Street alley, requests sight‑line and pedestrian data

The Davenport City Planning and Zoning Commission voted Tuesday to table a petition to vacate a portion of the alley right of way north of Locust Street between Bell Avenue and Dougalby Street, asking staff and public works to provide a sight‑line analysis and additional pedestrian information before the matter returns to the commission.

City staff presented the request (Case ROW25‑01) as a vacation of a roughly 20‑foot‑wide alley that stretches about 442 feet — just under 9,000 square feet — across a residential block. Staff said the alley was dedicated at platting but never improved, that city sewer infrastructure crosses the block and that easements exist to preserve access to that infrastructure. Staff concluded the alley is not needed for a public purpose and recommended forwarding the vacation to City Council with six findings and one condition that the land continue in its current functional state until conveyance terms are negotiated.

The proposal drew significant public comment and questions from commissioners. Brian Shatz, the city engineer, confirmed the city owns a retaining wall constructed during earlier widening of Locust Street and said it would be built differently under current standards. "From my understanding, this was constructed during the widening of Locust Street," Shatz said. "It would have been constructed, according to current standards at that time." Shatz told the commission the city had reviewed crash reports from 2014 to present and identified a small number of right‑angle crashes in the corridor but that the results did not indicate a pervasive safety problem.

Neighbors and representatives urged caution. Chris Townsend of Townsend Engineering, representing a property owner who opposes the vacation, described attempting to use the alley and said there were visibility and operational concerns: "I drove up there Sunday. Went through the alley, tried to get out on Locust Street, and I'm telling you, that thing, there's no way... I'm not joking," Townsend said, asking for a traffic or sight‑distance study. Attorney Michael Malloy, speaking for property owner Sean Agan, asked the commission to deny the vacation because he said access patterns would force more vehicles onto Locust Street and increase safety risk.

Commissioner Schollinger moved to table the item so staff could provide a sight‑line triangle calculation and other information. Commissioner Toman seconded the motion. On roll call, the commission voted unanimously to table ROW25‑01 to the next meeting cycle; staff said the item will return with additional information and that the next meeting date provided was February 18.

Staff notes on the case state that any conveyance, if approved by council, will be negotiated among adjoining property owners and that easements will remain in place for the city's sewer infrastructure. The commission explicitly directed staff to calculate sight distances and to provide pedestrian count or related data if available before council consideration.

The tabled status preserves the existing condition of the alley until the conveyance process is complete and any council action is finalized.