Council amends zoning approach for wholesale uses after resident questions

The Davenport Committee of the Whole on Wednesday moved to change how the city would treat wholesale establishments in its C-3 commercial zoning district, voting to replace a proposed blanket permitting approach with a special-use pathway.

Joyce Miller of the 3rd Ward told the council she had followed the ordinance through several postponements and said the cover sheet for the third consideration showed no substantive changes from the January materials. "I don't see any changes, same wording," Miller said, asking what substantive discussions had occurred to alter the ordinance’s trajectory.

Alderman Newton responded that discussion at a February work session and additional information provided by staff had shifted the council's direction toward allowing wholesale operations under a special-use permit, rather than as a new permitted use. Following that explanation, a council member moved to amend the ordinance to substitute a "special use" classification; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call, 10-0.

The chair recommended that the amended item remain on the discussion agenda for additional consideration next week.

The amendment applies to ORD 25-03, a proposal from Leverage Holdings LLC to revise chapter 17.08 of the municipal code to address wholesale operations in the C-3 zoning district. Resident concerns raised the need for clearer public materials and a record of council deliberations ahead of final action.

Next steps: the item will return for further consideration; the council did not adopt a final ordinance tonight.