Council amends comp plan and rezones land to allow commercial solar project near airport

The Moline City Council voted unanimously to amend the city’s comprehensive plan and to rezone a parcel south of the airport in order to allow a commercial solar energy system.

Staff told the council the comp plan amendment modifies appendix O (Airport South District Development Plan) to change the future land-use designation of property between 78th Avenue and 100th Avenue on 72nd Street from residential to a public/semi‑public use classification that would support an AG-2 zoning designation. The rezoning ordinance, which amends chapter 35 (zoning and land development), will reclassify the same parcel from R-2 to AG-2 and thereby allow the commercial solar energy system under a special use permit previously approved by the Plan Commission.

Planning staff said the rezoning is intended to make the comp plan consistent with the Plan Commission’s special use permit and to allow the Price Buoy Farm project to proceed. Council members discussed broader comp plan updates and the desire for more flexible land‑use definitions to reduce the frequency of future amendments.

What happens next: The rezoning and comp plan amendment take effect following the council’s vote, enabling next steps on the special use permit and project implementation consistent with plan and zoning procedures.