Des Moines planning commission approves rezoning for 33-unit development near Easter Lake

The Des Moines City Planning and Zoning Commission on March 5 recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow redevelopment of a 6.5-acre vacant parcel near Southeast 27th Street into 16 duplexes and one single-family dwelling — a total of 33 dwelling units.

Bert Ross, planning staff for the city of Des Moines, said the application would rezone the parcel to a neighborhood-mixed designation that allows two-dwelling-unit buildings and that staff recommended approval with seven conditions to improve neighborhood compatibility. Ross listed conditions including limiting lots west of the new street extension to detached single-family houses, requiring at least 35% of front facades be brick or stone, varied roof designs, a minimum of two siding treatments, prohibition on duplicate designs on adjoining lots, a front porch on each unit and compliance with siding…