Board approves reconstructed parking lot to serve Des Moines Prep at 106 E. 5th St.

The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 25 approved a conditional use for reconstruction of a non‑accessory surface parking lot in the vicinity of 106 E. 5th Street to support the nearby charter school at 95 E. 5th (Des Moines Prep).

Planning staff presented the project as a safety and circulation improvement designed to reduce street spillback during drop‑off and pick‑up. Staff described the proposal as including demolition and reconstruction of the existing lot, a drop‑off lane that circulates through the lot, upgraded lighting, landscaping and added stormwater measures. Staff said the lot would provide about 14 diagonal stalls, approximately 50 parallel stalls and three ADA‑accessible stalls and that the parcel is roughly one acre. Because the parking lot would be a stand‑alone surface lot in the DX2 downtown mixed‑use district, a conditional use was required.

Keith Wagon, representing the applicant, said the aim is to improve safety and the visual appearance of the area, reduce access points from four to two, add sidewalks in the site and install infiltration features within landscaped islands for stormwater. He told the board the school currently enrolls ninth grade and plans phased expansion.

Board members asked whether a pedestrian crossing would be provided to move dropped‑off students across East 5th, and whether the school would allow after‑hours public access to the lot. Wagon and staff said the traffic study and site‑plan review will determine the specific crossing location; after‑hours use was not resolved at the hearing and could be addressed through conditions or future arrangements. Julian Neely moved to approve the conditional use subject to staff recommendations; Rhonda Cedillo seconded and the board voted 7‑0.

Staff will provide applicants with the written decision next week and the project will proceed to site‑plan review and permitting.