Council denies rezoning for 414 61st Street after resident raises floodplain concerns

The Des Moines City Council voted Dec. 23 to deny a requested amendment to the comprehensive plan and rezoning for property at 414 61st Street, citing concerns about building in a floodplain and preferring to allow the existing structure to remain under a use variance process.

Applicant Daniel Doyle sought to change the property’s future‑land‑use designation from parks and open space to community mixed use and to rezone the parcel from F (flood) to RX1 (mixed use) to allow reuse of an existing building as an office. During the public hearing Heather Armstrong of Ward 2 testified that building in a floodplain risks repeated flooding and damage, citing personal experience with a flood‑prone property.

A councilmember moved to deny the rezoning and noted that the existing building could seek a use variance to allow continued operation; the motion carried with a recorded vote of 7 yes. Council discussion recognized the property is in the flood plain and emphasized that the city should not encourage new construction in that area while allowing reuse of an existing structure through the standard variance process.

Next steps: the applicant may pursue a use variance or other administrative pathways if they wish to continue occupancy or reuse under existing rules.