Urbandale council holds public hearing on draft downtown master plan; final vote set for June

The Urbandale City Council on Tuesday heard a presentation and public hearing on a draft downtown master plan that recommends reconfiguring Douglas Avenue, focusing redevelopment at two nodes, improving stormwater management and encouraging “middle housing.” Curtis Brown, assistant city manager, presented the plan and said it will return to the council for final consideration at the June 17 meeting after a June 10 lunch-and-learn for council members.

The plan is built around eight recommendations: reconfigure Douglas Avenue from two travel lanes in each direction to a three-lane cross-section with a center turn lane; concentrate redevelopment at a large node near 70th Street and Douglas and a smaller node near 60th Street and Douglas; establish a distinct character for subareas and integrate public art; reduce parking minimums and consider shared district parking; pursue a subregional stormwater strategy; encourage “middle housing” (accessory dwelling units and gentle density such as townhouses or small multifamily); route bicycles into downtown via the existing regional trail network; and phase investments so public infrastructure signals private development.

Brown said consultants from Bolton & Menk led the technical work and emphasized the draft is an early-stage plan intended to guide zoning updates, design guidance, and phased public investments. “The draft master plan is really built around eight different recommendations,” Brown said. He noted recommendations on Douglas include targeting a single travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane and room for parking, and that Des Moines has implemented a similar conversion east of Merle Hay.

Council members and staff described outreach completed to date: more than 2,800 postcards mailed, two resident focus groups, eight business-focused meetings, a Plan and Zoning Commission public hearing that endorsed the plan, and an open house on May 1 attended by about 70 people. Councilmember Carberry Montgomery said business owners include a “large contingent” excited by the plan and another contingent “nervous because change creates change,” adding staff have incorporated feedback into revisions. “All of their comments have been received, and we have made some good changes and amendments,” Montgomery said.

Staff stressed the plan is not a final design but a policy framework. Brown and the consultant team warned that zoning revisions and design standards will be required to implement the public- and private-sector elements, and that public investment in stormwater and other infrastructure will be necessary to unlock private redevelopment. The council opened and closed the public hearing on May 20; no final adoption occurred that night.

The council will discuss the plan further at a June 10 lunch-and-learn and will consider adoption, with appendices added, at its June 17 meeting. If adopted, staff said the plan will be incorporated into the city’s CIP recommendations and accompanying zoning updates.