The Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend a limited rezoning for the property near 1233 10th Street, approving a change that permits conversion of some existing single‑family buildings into multi‑unit housing but limits the site to a maximum of five dwelling units.

Sriyoshi Chakraborty, planning staff, told commissioners the property sits in the King Irving neighborhood near University Avenue and DMACC and that staff's original recommendation favored a limited NX1 rezoning with conditions that would keep the site’s use consistent with the N5 district and require site‑plan and design compliance. Chakraborty also reported neighborhood outreach: letters, petitions and a consent map showing 23.14% opposition, which means City Council would require a supermajority to finalize the rezoning.

The applicants, Casey and Bobby Brown, said they purchased the 1916 property in January and have already invested in major repairs. "We already have probably a 100,000," Casey Brown said, describing foundation and reconstruction work and explaining that the extra units were requested to make the rehabilitation financially feasible. The applicants said they revised their original request earlier the same day to remove a proposed fourth building and now are seeking duplex conversions for the three existing houses (initially six units requested, later discussion centered on five units as a compromise).

Neighbors and the King Irving Neighborhood Association opposed broad rezoning. Joanne Muldoon, speaking for the neighborhood association, said "6 to 8 units could create off‑street parking problems and demand" and urged limits and code compliance. Nearby resident Mark Green said the block already struggles with parking and nuisance issues.

Commissioners weighed competing priorities: several members emphasized the need to preserve neighborhood character and noted staff's concerns about impervious surface, parking and the property's layout, while others stressed the benefit of rehabilitating derelict properties and adding rental housing close to transit and amenities. During debate commissioners agreed to a friendly amendment that set the cap at five dwelling units on the parcel.

The motion to recommend approval of a limited NX1 rezoning with a maximum of five dwelling units passed on a voice vote. Chakraborty reminded the commission that, because of the opposition percentage in the noticed area, City Council will need a supermajority vote to overturn the opposition and adopt the rezoning.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council; if council supports the rezoning it must also consider the zoning conditions and any site‑plan or design exceptions the applicant seeks during a subsequent review.