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Zoning board approves conditional use for event venue with alcohol at 400 Walnut St.
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Summary
The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a conditional use permit allowing an assembly/entertainment venue with on‑premises sale of alcohol at 400 Walnut Street, subject to staff conditions. The applicant said the venue will focus on rentals and occasional promoted events rather than operating as a late‑night nightclub.
The City of Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 6‑0 to grant a conditional use permit for an assembly/entertainment venue at 400 Walnut Street that will include on‑premises sales of alcoholic liquor, wine and beer. The board acted after a staff presentation and comments from the applicant, Bradley Goldman.
Staff recommended approval, saying the proposed use would safeguard the health, safety and general welfare of surrounding properties if operated under the recommended conditions. Frank Dunn, senior city planner, summarized the request and staff findings and said staff believes the use “would not unduly increase congestion on the street or constitute a nuisance if it operates in accordance with the recommended conditions of approval.”
Why it matters: the property sits in the DX1 downtown mixed‑use district, a centrally located area where event activity and alcohol sales can affect nearby residences, downtown businesses and pedestrian traffic. The conditional use creates enforceable operating conditions that the zoning enforcement officer may act upon if violations or nuisance patterns emerge.
The applicant, Bradley Goldman, told the board the operation will use roughly 5,273 square feet at ground level and about 750 square feet on the mezzanine for an event center configured for spectator‑oriented amusements and private rentals. Goldman said the business model will emphasize rentals for weddings, corporate events and private functions and occasional planned music events rather than functioning as a neighborhood bar that is open to the public late every night. “We want to be doing mostly rentals, wedding events, corporate events, that kind of thing,” Goldman said. He also described prior operations at the same address and said the venue had been closed for at least a year, which requires a new conditional use review.
Board members asked staff and the applicant to keep the venue’s operating practices close to the descriptions presented so the use would not operate as an unregulated tavern. Chair Mel Pins reminded the room of procedural limits: “Please note that it always takes at least 4 affirmative votes for any zoning appeal to gain approval.”
The motion to approve the conditional use was made and seconded during deliberation; the board recorded a 6‑0 vote in favor. The board’s decision will be documented in a written decision and order and provided to the applicant and staff within about a week. Under the board’s standard terms explained at the meeting, any approval must be implemented within two years or the approval will expire. The board also noted the Iowa District Court is the route for appeals of the board’s decisions.
Additional context from the record: the board previously granted a conditional use for the site on Nov. 18, 2020. Notices were mailed to the Downtown Neighborhood Association and to nearby property owners as required. Staff noted there were both supportive and opposed written comments in the file. No public speakers testified in opposition at the hearing.
The board did not alter staff’s recommended conditions at the meeting; staff will monitor compliance and the zoning enforcement officer may request reconsideration if the use creates a pattern of violations or nuisance.
