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Des Moines highlights residential character, high tax-exempt land as planning challenges; planning commission to form
Summary
City staff told candidates the city is primarily residential — with much land tax-exempt — and said a planning commission will be formed later this year as the city begins a strategic planning process and a development-impact analysis to guide land-use decisions.
City staff briefed council candidates that Des Moines is predominantly a residential community with a large share of tax-exempt properties and that the city will form a planning commission later this year to increase public participation in land-use matters.
The presentation emphasized the local land-use pattern: the city manager described the zoning map as showing business areas concentrated downtown while “everything else is primarily residential,” and noted that about 80% of the population leaves the city during the day for work, which the manager said reinforces the city’s “bedroom community” profile.
Why it matters: Staff said the high percentage of residential and tax-exempt property affects city finances and will shape decisions about redevelopment and density on commercial corridors. The manager listed major commercial corridors (Pac Highway and Green View Drive) as primary commercial areas and said future growth is expected to be driven by redevelopment and increased density rather than new greenfield development.
Planning structures and next steps: The city manager said the council follows a council-manager form of government and that later this year the city will form a planning commission to provide a venue for citizen engagement on land-use issues. Separately, staff noted the city will begin a strategic planning process and the development-impact analysis to give council more fiscal context when reviewing land-use proposals.
Actions and outcomes: The session did not record a council vote to create the planning commission; staff said the commission “will be forming later this year.” Staff also explained where zoning and code text can be found on the city website and encouraged candidates to consult the municipal code for district definitions.
Ending: Staff encouraged candidates to bring questions through the city manager and said staff will provide planning and comp-plan materials upon request so all candidates receive the same information.
