Council advances ordinance to establish a Planning Commission after debate over comp‑plan role and term limits

The Des Moines City Council on Dec. 4 moved Ordinance 25‑108 to a second reading (Dec. 11) to establish a seven‑member Planning Commission, after several hours of debate and multiple amendment votes. Community Development Director Rebecca Deming explained the ordinance would create a planning agency (the Planning Commission) composed of residents serving four‑year terms, with appointment by the full council. The proposed membership includes five commissioners "qualified by experience," one business‑owner seat and an at‑large seat; members must be residents for at least one year prior to appointment.

Public commenter William Kennedy urged the council to have the Planning Commission hold initial hearings on comprehensive‑plan adoptions and amendments, arguing the commission provides a nonpolitical, citizen forum. Council members then offered a string of amendments. A motion to add explicit commission review of the comprehensive plan failed after a roll‑call discussion and vote. Council did approve an amendment to require commission review and recommendation for business‑park and institutional campus master plans. Another amendment to make the Planning Commission exempt from the city’s typical two‑term limit failed; council instead voted unanimously to reference the city code (chapter 4.24) to make term‑limit language consistent with other appointed bodies.

After the amendments, the main motion to pass the ordinance to a second reading carried unanimously. The ordinance as amended will return for council action on Dec. 11, after staff recruits and vets applicants and presents final ordinance language reflecting the changes the council adopted.