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Council approves Val Air Ballroom changes, CDBG plan amendments, Habitat plat, Legacy Woods site plan, proclamations and park hour update
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the West Des Moines City Council approved a group of development, grant and ceremonial items, including a Val Air Ballroom PUD amendment, CDBG plan amendments, a Habitat for Humanity plat, a Legacy Woods site plan and two proclamations.
The West Des Moines City Council on Jan. 6 approved a slate of consent and new business items, including a PUD amendment for the Val Air Ballroom, two proclamations, amendments to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plans, and development approvals for Habitat for Humanity and the Legacy Woods nature sanctuary.
Val Air Ballroom: Council approved ordinance amendments to the Val Air Ballroom Planned Unit Development at 301 Ashworth Road, including adjusted hours for the basement restaurant/bar and four conditions of approval addressing concert hall capacity, pre‑opening bar hours, balancing concert and restaurant occupancy, and traffic circulation. The council conducted the required readings, waived the third reading and adopted the ordinance (motion passed unanimously during the meeting).
Proclamations: The council approved proclamations for Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month (January 2025) and for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20, 2025) and posed for photos with sponsoring organizations. Speakers thanked police and partner agencies for anti‑trafficking work and urged community service on MLK Day.
CDBG plans: The council held a public hearing and approved amendments to the 2022–23 and 2023–24 annual action plans for the Community Development Block Grant program. Staff reported no written comments were received in advance and thanked Christine and the team for advancing stormwater and related projects funded by CDBG dollars.
Locust Plat (Habitat for Humanity): The council approved the final plat for 11205 Locust Street to create three lots for single‑family development by Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity; the resolution passed unanimously.
Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary: The council approved a site plan for parking and walkways at Legacy Woods (Grand Avenue) and accepted associated legal documents, with a condition deferring implementation of parking‑lot screening until completion of a comprehensive planting plan. Project presenters described preserving a historic archway and removing an older chain‑link fence as part of phased construction.
Park hours ordinance: The council approved first reading of an amendment to City Code Title 7 (Park Regulations) to standardize park hours citywide; the ordinance advanced after council discussion about safety and potential future tweaks.
Why it matters: The items advance a mix of public safety and community development initiatives, from preserving and improving historic and natural assets to aligning grant‑funded projects and formal proclamations recognizing public awareness and service days.
Votes at a glance: Val Air Ballroom PUD amendments — adopted (5‑0); Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month proclamation — adopted (5‑0); Martin Luther King Jr. Day proclamation — adopted (5‑0); CDBG action plan amendments resolution — adopted (5‑0); Locust Plat final plat for Habitat for Humanity — adopted (5‑0); Legacy Woods site plan — adopted (5‑0); Park regulations first reading — adopted (5‑0).
