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Council OKs first reading to allow termination of inactive land‑use applications
Summary
Council passed to a second reading a proposed code change that would allow the city to terminate land‑use applications after 180 days of inactivity following a request for additional information; the director could override the rule case‑by‑case.
The Des Moines City Council on Nov. 13 passed to a second reading a code amendment that would allow staff to terminate land‑use applications after 180 days of inactivity following a request for revisions or additional information.
Peyton Murphy, a staff planner, told the council that current city code lacks a formal procedure to terminate stalled land‑use applications and that the 180‑day standard is consistent with nearby cities such as Renton and Kent. Murphy said abandoned applications would require a new submittal and that the director could override termination on a case‑by‑case basis.
Council members asked about the ramp‑up phase and notification to applicants; staff said the rule would not be applied retroactively and would begin counting from enactment. Planner Murphy did not have an inventory number for how many existing applications might be affected but said many long‑dormant applications would likely already expect expiration.
The council voted 7‑0 to pass draft ordinance 25‑090 to a second reading on Dec. 4.
Why it matters: the change aims to streamline permitting, reduce staff backlog and encourage timely progress on development applications.
