A Taylor Ridge developer is asking the Rock Island City Council to annex and rezone land along Highway 92 near a city golf course. Tonight, aldermen are scheduled to consider the request from Raju Penmatcha who has worked with Rock Island on other projects in the past.
Jeff Eder, Director of Community and Economic Development, says the site is located south of Andalusia Road and north of Highland Springs Golf Course. It's currently unincorporated land in Rock Island County.
Nineteen people who own property nearby signed a petition objecting to Penmatcha's rezoning request, from one-family residential (R-1) to planned unit development (PUD).
Earlier this month, the residents submitted the petition to the Rock Island Planning Commission. They're worried about noise, run-off, problems with traffic safety, and changing the character of the neighborhood. The commission voted 7 to 2 to recommend denying the rezoning change, because it's a big change from the Rock Island's designated land use for the property.
But the planning staff recommends approval since new commercial and housing development would increase the tax base and improve the economy.
