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Commission recommends denying request to allow off‑premise liquor sales at Southdale PUD tenant bay
Summary
Planning staff recommended and the commission voted to deny a PUD amendment to allow off‑premise sale of alcoholic liquor, wine and beer at a tenant bay in the Southdale shopping center because the location fell short of the city’s separation standards from an existing liquor seller.
The Plan and Zoning Commission voted to recommend denial of an amendment to the Southdale PUD that would have allowed an individual tenant bay at 5116 Southeast 14th Street to sell alcoholic liquor, wine and beer for off‑premise consumption.
Planning staff explained that the proposed tenant bay sits within a PUD, but if it were in a conventional zoning district the owner would require a conditional use permit to sell alcohol and would need to meet separation distances from certain uses. Staff found the tenant bay is roughly 120 feet closer than the minimum separation distance typically required from another existing retailer selling liquor (a Kum & Go gas station roughly 1,200 feet south is an identified nearby liquor seller); because the site did not meet the separation requirements staff recommended denial.
Staff also noted the neighborhood association — South Central Des Moines Neighborhood Association — opposed the request, citing concerns about an overconcentration of liquor and tobacco retail in the area. The applicant attended the required neighborhood meeting and provided a store layout and proposed hours: Sunday–Thursday 10 a.m.–11 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–midnight.
Commissioners discussed the balance between supporting small family businesses and enforcing separation standards. One commissioner said they would be inclined to support a family business but recognized the separation requirement. The motion to adopt staff’s recommendation to deny the PUD amendment passed; the applicant may take the matter to City Council if they choose.
