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Des Moines Zoning Board approves large EMC sign at 700 Walnut, citing downtown vibrancy
Summary
The Zoning Board granted exceptions to allow a roughly 511-square-foot sign on EMC’s 700 Walnut building over staff’s recommendation to deny, voting 7-0. Supporters called the sign a downtown amenity; staff cited code limits and skyline character concerns.
The City of Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment on Wednesday voted 7-0 to grant zoning exceptions that allow a roughly 511-square-foot sign on the upper portion of EMC Insurance’s building at 700 Walnut Street.
Planning staff had recommended denial, saying the proposed sign would be “out of character with the existing skyline” and noting the downtown DX district limits signs to 200 square feet on the first through third floors. Bert Ross, planning staff, told the board the code was written to protect the downtown skyline and that few buildings currently have signage…
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