Committee signals general interest in 8‑acre Pacific Highway mixed‑use proposal but flags traffic, tax and land‑use concerns

Des Moines City staff briefed the Economic Development Committee on a developer proposal for an eight‑acre site commonly referred to as the Rosie's Diner tract at 26915 Pacific Highway South and 26852 16th Avenue. Staff described the site as deep and narrow with Pacific Highway frontage and said the proposal has shifted toward primarily residential development with limited commercial space.

Rebecca, a staff member, said the parcel is roughly eight acres and is mapped for mixed use in the city’s land‑use plan. She said the developer originally proposed 1,750 square feet of commercial space and a 12‑year multifamily tax exemption on all residential units. Staff negotiated changes at the project level, she said, and the developer now proposes about 7,500 square feet of commercial space, no multifamily tax exemption and…