The City of Davenport is clarifying the way it approves group homes moving into neighborhoods. The current ordinance reads that all group homes in Davenport are considered transitional housing. However, having just one definition for homeless shelters, correctional replacement residences, rehabs, domestic violence shelters, group homes and institutions made the process inefficient. The city decided to give each type of facility its own definition. The change will give city council control over what type of housing moves into neighborhoods.
"I have 5 institutional facilities with-in 2 blocks of my home."
During a public hearing people voiced their support for changes to the ordinance.
"This is long overdue; it's been a goal of our neighborhood since we incorporated in 1989 to have the city address this issue."
The ordinance will not drive shelters, group homes and institutions out of Davenport.
"Everyone needs to understand that this change does not affect existing operations," says Alderman Bill Boom, "They will continue on as a non-conforming use."'
Instead, the city will have the final say in whether or not facilities are built and city officials will monitor operations.
"We will make sure the operation is in accordance to our rules and is favorable to the neighborhood. We want to make sure the homes are not causing problems in the neighborhood," adds Alderman Boom.
The approval process will include several public hearings. Also, when a shelter, group home or institution applies for a permit they have to include site plans, worker to client ratios and how far away the building will be from neighbors.
"The American Planning Association has come out in favor of space and distance," says Alderman Boom, "We have it in this instance to make sure that these types of services are not compacted into a neighborhood."
Clarifying the rules comes on the heels of a six month moratorium, where shelters, group homes and institutions were not allowed to be built. The moratorium was put in place when the city received an application for a transitional housing facility last year and council realized there was not an existing code to deal with the request. At the time council also realized they didn't have much of a say in the facility being built.
"I think it's important that this body and future councils have a role and say in those types of developments," says Alderman Jason Gordon.
The changes are not final; the ordinance still has to make it through 2 more city council cycles.
