A downtown Bettendorf used car dealer -- forced to relocate because of the planned reconstruction of Interstate 74 -- wants the city to rezone a lot at the opposite end of the downtown corridor to keep the firm downtown.
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended against the zoning change over concerns a used car lot would not fit with the new downtown master plan and streetscaping improvements under way in the downtown corridor.
The rezoning for Premier Picks Auto Sales would be for the vacant gas station at 2540 Grant Street where State and Grant Street become one way streets. Premier's used car business is now located in the 1400 block of Grant Street.
The rezoning has the support of city staff who plan to offer financial assistance to help upgrade the facade of the new business. The city council is expected to schedule a public hearing on the rezoning for the Feb. 15 council session.
By a 3-1 vote, the plan commission Jan. 19 recommended denial of the rezoning from the current C-3 general business zoning to C-4, automotive service district.
The city in just the past year has spent more than $600,000 on new lighting and streetscaping along State Street as the first phase of multi-year master plan to improve the appearance of the downtown.
City staff agreed with the commission that the property is a focal point for entering downtown. However, they say the additional landscaping agreed to by the owner and facade improvement assistance would make the property much more attractive than its current vacant unimproved state.
City planning commission members also voiced concern the C-4 automotive zoning would be a permanent use for the parcel, even after the applicant might leave the location.
CLICK HERE to download details of the downtown used car lot rezoning.
