The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission on Thursday recommended approval of a rezoning request from Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity that would allow subdivision of property at 1530 Arlington Avenue into three lots and construction of two-household buildings on each lot, producing six new residential units.

Sriyoshi Chakraborty, planning staff, told the commission the subject site consists of two parcels in the River Bend neighborhood, currently zoned N5. The request would rezone the parcels to N5-2 to permit the proposed subdivision and duplex development; staff recommended approval, saying the project would make productive use of underutilized land near transit, parks and schools and that any development must meet design standards in chapter 135 of the city code. “Staff is recommending approval,” Chakraborty said.

Nearby residents raised the issue of an existing small house on the lot. Sherry Ribby of 420 College Avenue urged commissioners to preserve or move the structure rather than allow demolition, saying she believed the house dates to about 1916 and that retaining older homes helps preserve neighborhood character. “I just would really hate to see that because it was built in, I think if I remember correctly, 1916,” Ribby said.

Carl Kodum, the applicant representative, said the project team tried to reflect neighborhood character in its designs and that a rehab of the existing structure would likely be cost-prohibitive. He added the proposed plan would allow Habitat to serve six families rather than rehabbing a single house. “Using the space maybe more efficiently … we’re able to serve 6 families,” Kodum said.

Commissioners and staff described the city’s demolition-review process for older or architecturally significant buildings, noting it is primarily administrative and includes notification to the Historic Preservation Commission and conversations about salvage, documentation and tax-credit options. Staff cautioned that recent changes to state tax credits have made moving houses more difficult.

Balancing those concerns, a commissioner recommended the commission proceed with a recommendation of approval while recording a request that the applicant work with staff to explore alternatives to demolition — including salvage, documentation and the possibility of relocation — through the city’s demo review process. The commission adopted that approach and voted to recommend approval with the record request that alternatives be explored.

The commission’s action is advisory; the City Council will hold a public hearing and make the final decision on the rezoning. The applicant conducted the required neighborhood meeting and staff said the River Bend Neighborhood Association president submitted a letter of support. No formal vote tally names were recorded in the transcript; the chair called for hands and the motion passed.

Next steps: the rezoning goes to the City Council for a public hearing and final determination, and staff indicated the applicant will proceed through the city’s demolition-review and historic-salvage discussions as part of implementation.