Bettendorf’s comprehensive plan gets reviewed by public

Andy Kay looked closely at many of the 13 display boards featured Monday night, Nov. 20, at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center in downtown Bettendorf. Those information boards were on display to show the public several pieces of the city’s Comprehensive Plan: Premiering Bettendorf. The information included data on the city’s potential economic expansion, housing, […]

Andy Kay looked closely at many of the 13 display boards featured Monday night, Nov. 20, at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center in downtown Bettendorf. Those information boards were on display to show the public several pieces of the city’s Comprehensive Plan: Premiering Bettendorf. The information included data on the city’s potential economic expansion, housing, annexation, population, land use and other topics associated with growth through the year 2045. (An online PDF of the 129-page plan can be found here.)

1 of 4

“The current plan was adopted in 2017 and identifies current needs and goals for our community, presents a vision for the future, and sets priorities for new public policy and investments. The (proposed) plan looks out 20 years to the future, and covers a wide variety of topics,” according to information from the city. Dozens of residents and others showed up for a two-hour open house to have a look at those plans, make comments and suggest changes for Bettendorf’s future. Mr. Kay, the owner of the Green Thumbers in Davenport and a lifelong Bettendorf resident, was among the crowd. He said he wasn’t surprised by the information provided because he knows Bettendorf is growing and the paths that growth is taking. “I want to see Bettendorf and the Quad Cities grow. … I’m here and interested in seeing what the city’s plans are for the future,” he added. Others were on similar fact-finding missions as they also closely looked over the display boards presented by City of Bettendorf staff and representatives from RDG Planning & Design – a design and planning firm based out of Des Moines hired to assist Bettendorf with its comprehensive plan. “Back in May, we asked the community to get involved in this update by using our Community Interactive Map to tell planners where they would like to see new homes, commercial buildings, parks, trails, etc.,” Mark Hunt, the city’s community development director, said in a news release before the open house. “Since then, there have been more than 1,600 total visits to the plan’s web page and we’ve received 284 comments.” At the community meeting Monday, Mr. Hunt was kept busy showing people the information provided on the display boards and answering questions on proposed land annexation and other topics. He said that many people – commenting online about the city’s plans – said they love the city’s parks and trails, and want to see those features protected. “There’s a resounding love for Bettendorf parks… We want to find ways to protect parks but also find ways for growth,” Mr. Hunt said. He added that he hopes those attending the open house come away with this central message: “Bettendorf is dynamic. We have a lot of opportunities in the city.” Much of the information provided during the open house focused on growth projections – and needs created by that growth – through the year 2045. Some of possible growth includes:

• The city’s population is predicted to go from its current level of about 39,000 to more than 57,400 by 2045.
• The city could need 8,250 new housing units between 2020 and 2045.
• Information also pointed out current housing value and rent trends. For instance, the average monthly housing rent has risen from $599 in 2010 to $891 in 2021 – a 32% increase. Also, the average home sale price has increased from $164,000 in 2010 to $224,000 in 2021. That’s also a 32% increase.
• Growth patterns are to the north of current city limits.

While the city’s comprehensive plan takes those projections growth trends into account, it also must consider residents’ views to remain relevant and effective, officials said at the event. “Plans are not meant to be in perpetuity. … They are meant to be updated,” said Corey Scott, an official with RDG Planning & Design.