Des Moines planning commission approves design exceptions for 225 Arthur Avenue infill home

The Des Moines Planning & Zoning Commission on April 2 approved two design exceptions for a proposed infill home at 225 Arthur Avenue, accepting staff’s recommendation to allow a front-facing attached garage and a reduced rear-yard setback.

Jillian Summer, planning staff, told the Commission the lot is unusually shallow—about 62 feet deep—so applying standard house-type D placement would push the home forward and create front-yard setback conflicts. "Given the lot’s physical constraints, staff recommends approval of the two Type II design alternatives," Summer said.

Applicant Michael Madden, of R.M. Madden Construction, said the lot depth prevents a conventional rear garage and that orienting the garage toward Arthur Avenue matches other houses on the block. "I just think a garage looks a lot more pleasing, a lot more functional than facing the garage to the rear and then having windows on that garage," Madden said.

Angela Burke Boston, the next-door property owner, registered as neutral and said she came to learn about the project after receiving general notice; she asked for clarification about why a rear-facing garage would not fit on the lot.

Commissioners asked about alternate layouts, detached garage options and minimum dimension constraints. Staff and the applicant said a detached rear garage or revised floor plans might work but would require different house plans or reduced front-yard setbacks. After discussion, a commissioner moved to adopt staff’s recommendation; the motion passed.

The decision permits the developer to proceed with the site plan that includes the two approved design alternatives; the Commission’s approval is advisory to the City Council for rezonings but final for minor site-plan actions unless appealed.