Des Moines planning commission backs PUD amendment to let Italian American Cultural Center expand at Butler Mansion amid neighbor traffic, safety concerns

The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission on Feb. 6 voted to move the staff recommendation to approve a proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for the Butler Mansion at 2633 Fleur Drive that would allow the Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa to operate a cultural and event center with building additions, a new single‑story bocce pavilion, expanded program uses and site improvements.

Staff presented the proposed amendment and urged approval subject to two conditions: that new and expanded parking be landscaped in conformance with Chapter 7 of the city code to the satisfaction of the planning and urban design administrator, and that all exterior work comply with Chapter 58 (the city’s historic preservation ordinance). Planning staff said the amendment also includes a companion change to the city’s comprehensive plan, PlanDSM, to revise future land‑use classifications for parts of the site.

The site is roughly seven acres and includes the Butler Mansion, a locally designated landmark. Staff and the applicant described several proposed changes: a one‑story building set into the hillside with a green roof and an interior bocce pavilion, a new vestibule and two additions to the existing mansion (a two‑story addition north of the courtyard and a one‑story service/storage addition to the northeast), removal of an existing sky bridge, minor circulation changes including a short new drive aisle to connect the eastern parking lot to the shared access drive, and wayfinding and a digital…