A large subdivision plan on Davenport's far-west side that was shelved a year ago is back in the works and appears to have much more support from Davenport aldermen this time around.

Last November, Muscatine, Iowa, developer Jerry Sulzberger withdrew a rezoning request that would have allowed him to build 11 six-unit apartment buildings, 34 single-family attached units in a duplex/townhouse style and 89 single-family houses, as well as a small strip mall and convenience store along West River Drive.

Sulzberger re-worked the plan - which was heavily protested by neighbors in the mostly rural area - eliminating the apartments, adding a possible assisted living home and slightly increasing the number of duplexes. The proposed name of the development is Deer Woods.

The development would be built in a wooded, hilly 70-acre parcel between Ricker Hill Road and West River Drive, about a half-mile east of Interstate 280.

"It's just a natural for what I'm proposing here," said Sulzberger, noting that many houses would have walk-out basements facing the woods. "I think I can make a real nice subdivision here."

Last year, the protest rate from surrounding neighbors was 60 percent. Now, city documents state that 12 of 24 adjacent property owners are protesting the new plans. Sulzberger attended three neighborhood meetings with city staff members and will need a super-majority of eight votes to gain council approval.

Doug Casad, who lives on a 3-acre property adjacent to the proposed development, said concerns about its density, increased traffic on the already-challenged Ricker Hill Road, noise from construction, debris and trash from a convenience store and worries about increased water run off into Blackhawk Creek remain.

He said neighbors hope City Council members see past the possibility of increased property tax revenue - estimated at between $500,000 and $750,000 annually after full build out - and preserve a quiet corner of Davenport.

A majority of aldermen who spoke at Wednesday's Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, however, seem inclined to support the re-worked plan.

"For years, people have been saying nothing ever happens on the west side, and the city only puts things on the east side," At Large Alderman Gene Meeker said. "Well, we have an opportunity now for a significant housing development with a quality builder, to do something on the west side. It's an opportunity to gain tax base and grow the city."

Only 1st Ward Alderman Nathan Brown said he would vote against it for sure.

Brown, whose ward includes the land in question, said he has to listen to the concerns of the existing neighbors. He's particularly worried that the development could cause drainage problems in Blackhawk Creek, which already floods most springs.

City planner Matt Flynn noted that the city's plan and zone commission recommended approval of the re-zoning on a unanimous vote and that a city-approved stormwater management plan would have to be in place and would prohibit any new development from increasing run off.

"Staff has reviewed the plan, including stormwater and traffic issues, and has recommended approval," he said.

The re-zoning request will go before aldermen for a first reading at next Wednesday's City Council meeting.