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Commission approves plat to split 913 24th Street, citing infill and starter-housing benefits
Summary
The commission approved BTD Properties' request to subdivide 913 24th Street into two parcels, despite staff concerns that the resulting lot depths would not meet the 100-foot minimum and may not align with neighborhood character; commissioners said the proposal advances infill and affordable starter-home options and required administrative design review will follow.
The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission on Aug. 15 approved a plat and associated Type 1 design alternatives to subdivide 913 24th Street into two parcels, enabling construction of a new home facing 23rd Place while retaining and renovating the existing house.
Planning staff had recommended denial, citing the subdivision ordinance’s 100-foot minimum lot depth and concluding the proposed split is not in character with neighboring lots on the block; staff noted the existing block includes many double-frontage lots and the east block has 90-foot depths. Jillian Sommer, presenting staff analysis, said the proposed lots would not meet required front- and rear-yard setbacks without design alternatives.
Applicant Bode Wall (BTD Properties) and contractor Michael DeWalt said the developer rehabilitated the existing house, plans a two-story home to fit the narrow rear lot, and expects a target sale price for new construction in the mid-$200,000 range. Supporters argued the split creates an additional starter-home opportunity and helps meet city infill and affordability goals. An adjacent neighbor raised concerns about parking and how construction would be staged on a dead-end street.
Commissioners debating neighborhood character versus housing need noted that nearby parcels already vary in depth, and several members supported the applicant’s intent to retain and improve the existing house while adding modest infill. The motion to approve passed; staff noted that subsequent administrative design-review steps will apply and that final plat and building plans must meet applicable requirements or obtain necessary design variances.
The approval allows the applicant to proceed with plat-of-survey and subsequent administrative reviews; the commission’s action was recorded as approval at the Aug. 15 hearing.
