Des Moines council denies rezoning request for 3851 Sherman Boulevard after neighborhood pushback
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Summary
After hours of testimony, the Des Moines City Council voted 7‑0 to deny a rezoning request that would have allowed a duplex and additional dwellings at 3851 Sherman Boulevard, citing neighborhood character, stormwater concerns and questions about the developer’s execution record.
The Des Moines City Council voted 7‑0 to deny a rezoning request for 3851 Sherman Boulevard that would have allowed renovation of an existing single‑family home and construction of additional residential buildings to create five rental units.
Philip Herman, representing Highland Park Community Development Association, asked the council to rezone the lot to permit a duplex and additional buildings and said the organization planned permanent supportive rentals, off‑street parking and screening, and that anticipated grant funding would keep the units affordable for 20 years. "We believe that we have an opportunity to expand affordable housing in the city," Herman said during his presentation.
Neighbors strongly opposed the request. Fred Walker, who said he has lived at 3858 Sherman Boulevard for more than 40 years, told the council, "The whole neighborhood is totally against this project," and warned the development would change the area's character. Dixie DeCarlo, a 54‑year resident, said homeowners had kept promises to maintain properties and asked the council to "preserve our neighborhood." Several residents raised concerns about property management at the site, claimed overcrowding at the existing dwelling, and said the scale of the proposal was inconsistent with nearby homes.
Staff and council members clarified what rezoning would allow. Cody Christiansen, Development Services director, explained that the rezoning request would permit a duplex plus two additional single‑family buildings, producing one additional unit beyond what city code would allow by right; he also noted that the lot could be split under current rules and permit multiple structures without a rezoning. "The request before you is to rezone the property to allow a duplex and 2 additional single family buildings," Christiansen said.
Stormwater and long‑term execution were central to the debate. Council members noted Plan and Zoning Commission recommended a condition requiring stormwater management systems be designed and installed to the city engineer’s acceptance if the property were rezoned, but several council members said rezoning alone would not resolve area drainage issues that predate the project. One council member also cited photos and enforcement actions tied to the developer's prior local projects and said that, given that record, they could not "take that gamble" with neighborhood residents.
The motion to deny the rezoning was made on the council floor; after brief discussion, the council voted 7‑0 to deny the application. Council members asked staff to continue working with the developer on alternatives, including the option to build by right — which staff said could allow construction of additional units without rezoning — and to consider a future rezoning request if the developer first demonstrates a high‑quality build.
The council’s denial leaves the property under its current zoning; staff will coordinate with the applicant on next steps and potential alternatives.
