Premiering Bettendorf is the Comprehensive Plan for Bettendorf, the foundational document that guides city decisions. 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 plan looks out 20 years to the future, and covers a wide variety of topics, shown at right.

Premiering Bettendorf - A Comprehensive Plan for Bettendorf (2017) - Link

Primary Roles of a Comprehensive Plan:

1. A Shared Vision for the Future

Comprehensive planning provides an opportunity for residents to create a shared vision for their community. Residents and city staff identified issues and opportunities for Bettendorf’s land use, infrastructure, public facilities, natural resources, and more. These findings were used to create a vision for Bettendorf and set public priorities.

2. Guidance for Decision-Makers

The plan serves as a guide for City staff, the Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council, and other City boards and commissions, as they set policy, make public investments and deliberate land use decisions.

3. Legal Basis for Land Use Regulations

The Code of Iowa allows cities to adopt land use regulations, such as zoning and subdivision ordinances, to promote the “health, safety, morals or general welfare of the community.” These regulations govern how land is developed within a municipality and its extra-territorial jurisdiction. Land use regulations recognize that people live cooperatively and have certain responsibilities to coordinate and harmonize the uses of private property. The comprehensive plan provides a legal basis for these regulations.

Goal A: Develop New Land and Streets.

Establishes a land use and transportation plan to accommodate future growth, maintain and enhance the
quality of existing development, and provide a basis for public and private decisions and investment.
Provides the foundation for the city's land use regulations.

Goal B: Revitalize Downtown and Enhance the Riverfront.

Presents a concept for the physical redevelopment of downtown. Identifies public investments and actions
that can help create the conditions that support major private sector reinvestment.

3. Economic Development
Goal C: Attract and Retain Business and Industry.

Review and findings of the economic analysis and recommends strategies to improve commercial areas.
Reiterates the economic development recommendations of the Bettendorf Strategic Plan.

4. Housing
Goal D: Provide Housing Options and Reinvest in Existing Neighborhoods.

Establishes strategies to reinvest in existing housing and provide new housing options to help attract residents.

5. Quality of Life
Goal E: Enhance Community Design and Character.
Goal F: Promote Recreational and Cultural Activity.

Identifies strategies to promote community identity, enhance aesthetics, and improve design of public spaces,
and neighborhoods. Identifies upgrades to the parks and trails system.

6. Protect and Maintain

Identifies basic strategies to maintain Bettendorf's quality city services and infrastructure.

Goal G: Attract Young People.