Plan and Zoning Commission approves site plan and design alternative for Arbor Masters at 3839 Delaware Avenue

The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission voted Nov. 7 to approve a public‑hearing site plan and a Type 2 design alternative to allow outdoor storage and parking in the front yard for Arbor Masters at 3839 Delaware Avenue.

Staff presented the continued application and recommended approval, saying the applicant revised the plan to provide all required parking on-site and that enhanced landscaping and fencing would accompany the changes. "Staff does recommend approval of the public hearing site plan and the requested type 2 design alternative to allow outdoor storage and parking in the front yard, subject to compliance with administrative review comments," said Jasmine Kimani, Urban Planner I with planning staff.

Neighbors urged the commission to deny the design alternative. Julie Livers, who owns the property directly west of the site, told the commission she was concerned about added impervious surface and the lack of a shown holding pond for stormwater management. "There is no indication of a holding pond or anything else," Livers said, and she said trucks turning at the site have previously tracked onto her parcel.

Tiffany Allison, whose property is north of 3839 Delaware Ave, said enforcement by the city had been required in the past and described continuing problems with the business. "They have been awful neighbors, causing over $30,000 worth of property damage to my property alone," Allison said.

The applicant representative, Shane Divick of CEC, said the property and surrounding blocks are industrial and that the revised site plan improves the property by adding landscaping, paving and fencing. "This is our industrial area. This is our economy," Divick said, arguing the plan would raise property values and resolve neighbor disputes.

Staff and commissioners clarified the commission's role and the core question: the property is in an industrial zoning district and the proposed use is permitted, but the commission must decide whether to grant a design alternative that would place outdoor storage and parking in the front yard because the building sits toward the back of the lot. Staff acknowledged prior enforcement actions and said the site plan addresses those compliance issues.

After brief deliberation — with one commissioner noting the plan separates the two parties and aligns with the zoning for this section of town — the commission moved to approve staff's recommendation. The chair called for those in favor and the motion passed; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

The commission’s approval covers the public‑hearing site plan and the Type 2 design alternative as presented and conditioned on administrative-review comments. Additional permits or administrative reviews required by city code must still be completed before the project proceeds.