1.   General Description and Purposes of District. With increasing urban development pressures within the City, the Overlay Greenway District (GD) has been established to promote the preservation of those existing City natural resources and environmentally sensitive areas that are deemed to be essential to protecting the public health, safety, and welfare of our residents. These areas allow for the natural filtration of streams and rivers and provide improved stormwater and floodplain management. These areas promote erosion control along waterfronts and ravines and create protective buffers for woodlands and prairies. These typically linear corridors protect migration routes for wildlife and allow for the interconnection of recreation and multi-purpose trails. These areas can provide opportunities for urban landscaping and design and economic development associated with increased property values, recreation related retail sales, and rental enterprises, tourism attractions, and quality of life initiatives which can attract corporations and businesses to our City. Greenways have been further defined as “passive” and “active” or a combination of these types. These definitions aid in the prioritization process, strategies for implementation, and these development standards. The foregoing purposes and principles will not be interpreted to permit the further reduction of standards and minimum requirements set forth in this section.

2.   Greenway Districts (Areas Defined). The following greenway areas are hereby established within the City:

   A.   Mississippi River. The City recognizes the value and importance of the Mississippi River as a tourist attraction, commercial and environmental resource, and panoramic wonder. It is designated as an existing and future active greenway with passive components. The Great River Road of Iowa, (U.S. 67), parallels the shoreline of the river as well as a major railroad corridor. This river corridor is envisioned to be vital, distinctive, and accessible, coordinated in its use, and integrated through good design.

   B.   Cody Trail. This active greenway, developed from the Iowa Sesquicentennial Celebration of 1996, embraces a part of the history of the County and the City. The Cody Trail provides a historic and scenic on-road, 12-mile route throughout Northern Scott County. This trail highlights the birthplace and boyhood home(s) of William Frederick (Buffalo Bill) Cody in and around the City area. In the City, this trail starts in the 1,000 block of North Cody Road (U.S. 67), continues on Cody Road North to Territorial Road, and then proceeds West on Territorial Road to the City’s Westernmost corporate limits, (23rd Street).

   C.   Valley Drive Corridor. Valley Drive is proposed as a future active greenway. A spur from the Great River Trail is proposed which would preserve the scenic, forested, bluff areas along the on-road trail route.

   D.   West Sycamore Creek. Future passive greenways are proposed for this relatively minor drainage area located on the West side of I-80. Protection from erosion and improved water quality in these areas will benefit the Mississippi River at its confluence.

   E.   East Sycamore Creek. A trail spur from the Great River Trail will complement this future active greenway. The creek flows nearby the Mississippi Valley Welcome Center, which is promoted as an area gateway to the Quad-Cities. This greenway also provides a connection to 15th Street Park and surrounding residential subdivisions.

   F.   Silver Creek. This passive greenway watershed contains 1,327 acres and flows into the Mississippi River. Protecting the stream bank and water quality, while providing a wildlife corridor, is a priority of this greenway.

   G.   McCarty Creek. This passive greenway watershed contains 3,894 acres. This stream flows adjacent to the City Quarries along Territory Road. Future reclamation plans will convert the existing quarry site into a lake and open space recreational area at the conclusion of the mining process. Protection from run-off, erosion, and sedimentation control are primary concerns in this greenway.