The City of Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a conditional-use permit for a premium tobacco and cigar retail shop at 1536 Second Avenue, voting to follow staff’s recommendation with a 6-0 outcome and one abstention.
Frank Dunn, planning staff, told the board the applicant planned to use roughly 1,000 square feet of a 6,400-square-foot building for a premium cigar shop that would sell cigars and cigar-related accessories only; staff said no wine or beer sales would be allowed as proposed. The property provides about 10 parking stalls, which staff calculated provided an excess of parking for the combined plumbing/HVAC and retail uses on the site.
“Staff believes the proposed use would adequately safeguard the health, safety and general welfare of persons in the surrounding area,” Dunn said, and recommended approval with standard conditions for tobacco retail uses.
Applicant Michael Pike said the shop would be a destination retail offering premium handmade cigars; he told the board he would not open until construction on Second Avenue was substantially complete so customers could access the site safely. Pike said hours would be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
River Bend Neighborhood Association members and nearby residents attended the neighborhood meeting and several board members of the association spoke in support at the hearing. Elizabeth Lewin, a River Bend board member, said she and other neighbors who met with the applicant supported the use and noted it was not a vape shop or a high-volume cigarette retailer.
Board members discussed access to the site and possible effects of ongoing road work on Second Avenue; staff noted the building has alley access and two points of driveway access so parking and circulation are acceptable for the proposed use. Julian Neely abstained from the vote because of his role on the Urban Dreams board; the remaining six members voted to approve the conditional-use permit subject to the staff-recommended conditions and the applicant’s commitment to no alcohol sales.
The board and staff reminded the applicant that sign permits or other exterior alterations would require separate review and that the conditional-use permit runs with the land.