Des Moines planning commission approves rezoning for 33-unit development near Easter Lake

The Des Moines City Planning and Zoning Commission on March 5 recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow redevelopment of a 6.5-acre vacant parcel near Southeast 27th Street into 16 duplexes and one single-family dwelling — a total of 33 dwelling units.

Bert Ross, planning staff for the city of Des Moines, said the application would rezone the parcel to a neighborhood-mixed designation that allows two-dwelling-unit buildings and that staff recommended approval with seven conditions to improve neighborhood compatibility. Ross listed conditions including limiting lots west of the new street extension to detached single-family houses, requiring at least 35% of front facades be brick or stone, varied roof designs, a minimum of two siding treatments, prohibition on duplicate designs on adjoining lots, a front porch on each unit and compliance with siding standards in chapter 135 of the city code.

Ross noted that about 25 people attended the neighborhood meeting and that more than 20% opposition within the standard 200-foot calculation area means the proposal will need a supermajority vote at city council. "We notified 250 feet, which is why there are two red lines," Ross said, explaining the map the commission reviewed.

Mark McMurphy of Abakai Consulting, representing the Clousey family and the developer, said the applicant has modified plans to address concerns on the west side of the project and that the development would provide a transition from an assisted living facility to the adjacent single-family area. McMurphy said the project’s density is roughly 2.6 units per acre and that the duplexes are projected to be priced in the low $300,000s per side. "We've basically complied with all the staff requests, and we will comply with the seven conditions that they have listed for you," McMurphy told the commission.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing voiced concerns about changes to neighborhood character, parking and tree removal. Scott Colby, who lives immediately north of the property, said staff’s west-side change was welcome but urged that single-family development be extended across the whole site to better protect backyards. Clarence Fisher and others raised questions about property values and the impacts of connecting the new street into the existing neighborhood.

Commissioners debated those neighborhood objections alongside the city's broader housing needs. One commissioner argued the project would add reasonably priced housing and improve safety and service access by connecting streets, saying the evidence shows such additions can increase property values and neighborhood safety. Another commissioner cited best practices for rear-yard transitions and supported the staff modification that added single-family homes along the west edge.

A motion to approve the staff recommendation — including the west-side modification — carried by voice vote. The commission’s favorable recommendation will next go to the Des Moines City Council, which will hold a public hearing and make the final decision. Because more than 20% opposition was recorded in the staff’s 200-foot calculation, the council will require a supermajority to adopt the rezoning.

The staff packet shows the preliminary plat and large-scale development plans, and staff noted stormwater detention is proposed in the northwest corner of the property; staff also said the developer would be responsible for constructing streets and sidewalks that would likely be dedicated to the city once completed.