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Commission approves rezoning for 1419 Pennsylvania Ave with pavement and driveway conditions
Summary
The commission approved rezoning 1419 Pennsylvania Avenue from N3C to N3C‑2 to allow conversion to a duplex, subject to two staff conditions requiring front‑yard pavement removal to meet Chapter 135 impervious limits and tapered driveway approaches.
The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission approved a rezoning request for 1419 Pennsylvania Avenue, allowing the property to convert legally from a single‑family use (N3C) to a two‑unit dwelling (N3C‑2), subject to staff conditions addressing impervious surfaces and driveway width.
Bert Dross, planning staff for the City of Des Moines, told commissioners the applicant agreed to two recommended conditions: bring the site into conformance with Chapter 135 impervious‑area requirements to the planning administrator’s satisfaction, and taper any front‑yard driveway so the approach width at the public sidewalk does not exceed code limits. Dross said the Capitol Park Neighborhood Association and several neighbors signaled support so long as the pavement is removed from the front yard.
Jenny Williams, representing property owner John Chang, said Chang purchased 1419 Pennsylvania Avenue about two years ago and that the owner will remove excess front‑yard concrete and implement a landscaping plan: “We are we all do how much of business in there…so he put more concrete in, without enlarging in the city code, but now he does. So he’s waiting to remove the concrete, and put do the landscaping plan.” Williams said the property is rental housing and not a commercial use.
Commissioner Will asked whether the paved front yard had been used as a parking lot and emphasized that commercial use is not allowed under current or proposed zoning; staff confirmed zoning would not permit a commercial parking use. The applicant said tenants are renters, not operators of a business, and reiterated a willingness to comply with the conditions.
After questions and discussion, the commission moved the staff recommendation with the listed conditions; the motion passed. The rezoning approval is conditioned on removing excess front‑yard pavement and meeting the planning administrator’s impervious‑area requirements; the applicant must satisfy those conditions before receiving any occupancy or permit changes tied to the duplex conversion.
