Zoning board approves consent block including Des Moines Heritage Center for alcohol sales

The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 6‑0 to approve a consent block covering items 1 through 7 and item 9, including a conditional‑use request that would allow the Des Moines Heritage Center at 120 East Fifth to sell alcoholic liquor, wine or beer for on‑site assembly/entertainment.

Board Chair Mel Pinns said staff recommended moving item 9 to the consent agenda after describing the property and current operations. Planning staff indicated the Heritage Center’s request would not change the nature of the existing assembly use and that the request was consistent with the zoning code.

Frank Dunn, city planning staff, summarized the consent items and the staff recommendation to approve them subject to the listed conditions. The items on the consent block included a City Park and Recreation conditional‑use request to construct public recreational facilities near 3825 East Ninth, several signage exceptions and Polk County signage requests; the staff report lists conditions specific to each item. The Heritage Center request (item 9) was described in staff materials as use of an existing 5,200‑square‑foot building with an approximately 4,800‑square‑foot outdoor patio; staff recommended approval with conditions related to operations and permits.

After no members of the public indicated opposition, board member Rhonda Sadeel moved to place items 1–7 and 9 on the consent agenda; Marlys Jones seconded the motion. Chair Pinns called for the vote and announced the motion carried 6‑0. Dunn told applicants they should expect a written decision and order in about a week and reminded them approvals expire if not implemented within two years.

The approvals were limited to the conditions set out in the staff report. For the Heritage Center, the board’s action was to adopt staff’s conditional‑use recommendation; specific permit requirements and any liquor licenses remain subject to the city’s permit process.