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Zoning board grants variance and conditional use for Highland Underground bar despite proximity to church
Summary
The board approved a variance to the 150-foot separation and granted a conditional-use permit for a basement cocktail lounge at 3614 6th Avenue after debate; the variance will be reviewed by City Council.
After extended debate and robust neighborhood testimony, the Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a variance to the separation-distance requirement and approved a conditional-use permit for "Highland Underground," a proposed basement cocktail lounge at 3614 6th Avenue.
Staff had recommended denial, citing the difficulty of meeting the statutory "unnecessary hardship" test because the site sits roughly 125 feet from a church. "The appellant hasn't satisfied the criteria for…
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