Zoning board approves expansion of long‑term airport parking lot at 5921 Fluor Drive

The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously Feb. 25 to approve a conditional‑use request to expand a long‑term, non‑accessory surface parking lot at 5921 Fluor Drive.

Planning staff told the board the owner proposes to remove a former check‑in building and convert roughly 2,500 square feet into additional parking, consolidate primary ingress/egress at Highview Drive, and address required site‑plan elements including stormwater management, landscaping, screening, lighting and pavement. Frank Dunn, planning staff, said the property is about 1.44 acres in the MX3 mixed‑use district and primarily serves airport customers.

Neighbors had expressed concerns about drainage, tree screening and privacy fencing. Dunn told the board that buffer‑yard standards requiring landscaping and fencing apply, and that detailed stormwater and screening solutions will be reviewed during site‑plan review. Zoning enforcement officer Chris Osco said the department has not received complaints and that staff typically responds to maintenance issues after complaint but will enforce planting and replacement requirements when necessary.

Owner Hardeep Baligan said he demolished a derelict building and wants to pave the cleared 40‑by‑40 area to provide additional parking. “We demoed the building, and now there is, like, a 40 by 40…so we just wanna concrete there,” Baligan said. He confirmed he will work with staff on signage and any required landscaping or permits.

Board members moved to approve the conditional use subject to staff recommendations (motion by Rhonda Cedillo; second by Heather Ann Rowe). Remote board member Tom DeSio was polled and joined the aye vote; the motion carried 7‑0. Staff told the applicant he will receive a written decision next week and should coordinate with city staff about signage and paving permits.