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Des Moines Zoning Board roundup: consent approvals, sign variance granted, Beacon expansion approved, and a withdrawn application
Summary
At its monthly meeting the board approved three consent items, granted a rooftop sign variance for a laundromat, approved an expansion for Beacon of Life, and recorded the withdrawal of a separate variance application; detailed decision orders will follow in about a week.
The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment addressed a package of routine and substantive items at its monthly meeting.
Consent agenda and withdrawal: The board approved three consent items in a single block: (1) a conditional use for a non‑city‑owned cemetery near 3024 52nd Street and (2) a conditional‑use conversion for a community center at 251 Maury Street, both approved unanimously; and (3) a signage exception at 4205 Merl Hay Road, approved with one abstention from Tom Deia due to his affiliation (vote: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain for item 3). Separately, a variance/conditional‑use application for 2466 East Uclid Avenue was withdrawn (staff reported the applicant declined to proceed and no vote was required).
Sign variance approved: The board approved a variance for a roof‑mounted, non‑flashing channel‑letter sign (approximately 96 sq ft) for a proposed QuickWash laundromat at 2923 Southwest 9th Street. Staff recommended approval because the building’s mansard/"mannered" roofline limits feasible wall‑mounted options; the motion passed unanimously.
Beacon of Life expansion: The board approved a conditional‑use permit for Beacon of Life to add an 875‑sq‑ft rear addition at 1717 Woodland Avenue to create two ADA rooms (increasing rooms from nine to 11), improve communal spaces and add sprinklers; the Sherman Hill Historic Preservation Commission had granted a Certificate of Appropriateness. Staff recommended approval with standard site‑plan, building and fire‑safety conditions; the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: For all approvals the board said it will issue written decisions and orders in about a week. Planning staff reminded applicants that work or occupancy requires appropriate building and fire permits and, for tobacco‑related uses and similar regulated activities, additional licensing steps may be required (for example, city tobacco permits approved by council). The board announced a July workshop to review proposed changes to tobacco regulations and sign standards.
Votes at a glance: Consent items 1 & 2 — approved 7‑0; Consent item 3 — approved 6‑0‑1 (Tom abstained); Item 4 (1 Cherry Street tobacco) — denied 7‑0; Item 5 (2923 SW 9th sign variance) — approved 7‑0; Item 7 (Beacon expansion) — approved 7‑0; Item 8 (529 48th Grayson’s Homes) — approved 6‑1. Written decision and order documents will be published following internal processing.
The board adjourned after approving minutes and scheduling a July workshop.
