The Des Moines City Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 4 voted to allow a type 2 design alternative for a 720‑square‑foot single‑family house at 1202 Fraser Avenue, provided the developer works with planning staff to resolve minor design and setback issues.

Jasmine Kamani, planning staff, told commissioners staff’s preference was to deny the request unless the applicant submitted a modified design that better accommodates future expansions. Kamani said staff’s analysis of 33 homes on Fraser Avenue showed an average home size of about 898 square feet and raised concerns that the proposed footprint would be difficult to expand without interior reconfiguration.

Michael (Mike) Faust, owner of MFF Land Fund Inc. and the project applicant, argued the lot presents unique physical constraints — a narrow, 49‑foot infill parcel with grading and soil issues — and described the proposed 720‑square‑foot bungalow as a modest, well‑crafted option that can later be expanded. “Allowing a smaller type home will increase green space between the neighbors and create affordability the city has not seen in years,” Faust said. He described the project as self‑funded and presented three layout options that he said could allow a future attached or detached garage and additional bedrooms.

Faust framed the request as a hardship claim tied to the lot’s configuration and to market changes since the city’s 2019 zoning update. He stated that construction costs have risen substantially since 2019 and that “the city of Des Moines has demolished approximately 350 older, naturally affordable homes” since that zoning change. Those figures were presented by the applicant as part of his argument; the commission treated them as claims to be considered in context of the site and design review.

Commissioners and staff focused questions on practical design fixes — flipping or sliding the floor plan, relocating the patio door, or adjusting setbacks to allow a more usable yard and possible future garage access. Staff noted there are administrative options for setback relief on narrow lots and encouraged working with the applicant to refine the layout while keeping the requested square footage cap. One commissioner moved to allow the type 2 design alternative with the condition that the developer work with staff to resolve the listed issues; the chair added a friendly amendment setting the minimum square footage at 720. The motion passed by voice vote; explicit roll‑call counts were not recorded on the audio.

Under city procedure the Planning and Zoning Commission issues recommendations to City Council, which will hold a separate public hearing and make the final decision on most land‑use matters. The commission also closed the public hearing on the item at the Dec. 4 meeting because there were no members of the public present to speak.

At the end of the meeting commission staff announced scheduling notes, including an expected move to a new building for the February meeting and a reminder that officer elections must be held in January per the commission bylaws.