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Council advances first reading to amend PUD for supportive-housing conversion at 3940 114th Street
Summary
The Urbandale City Council voted to advance (first reading) a substantial modification to the PUD master plan at 3940 114th Street that would convert an existing extended-stay hotel to multifamily supportive housing with a two-story office/support addition; the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommended deletion of childcare as a permitted use was incorporated.
The Urbandale City Council voted to advance, on its first reading, an ordinance to substantially modify the planned unit development (PUD) master plan for the property at 3940 114th Street, paving the way for conversion of an extended-stay hotel into multifamily supportive housing with a two-story office/support addition.
Assistant Community Development Director Christy Bailings summarized staff work and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation to approve the PUD amendment with an important change: the commission recommended removing childcare from the list of permitted uses. Christy told the council the draft PUD master plan establishes permitted uses, building materials, landscaping and parking rules and that a site plan would return later to show how the developer meets those conditions.
Emily Osweiler, CEO of Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing, said her organization has been coordinating with neighbors and staff and that the provider has no plans for an on-site childcare center. "We didn't ask for that. We have no plans for childcare at the site," Osweiler said, adding the operator will pursue a parking variance before the West Des Moines Board of Adjustment and will work with staff on operational standards.
Members of the public included Adam Caduce of R and R Realty Group, who told the council his group met with the applicant and urged enforceable, long-term operational standards—either in the PUD or a development agreement—to ensure quality if operators change. Brian Muck of W.R. Berkeley Corporation said Berkeley does not oppose the provider but opposes the location, noting staff had previously recommended against the site and that all immediately abutting property owners submitted letters of opposition.
Council discussion focused on suitability and need. One councilor said the proposed use is similar or superior to the current residential use and argued supervision at the site could reduce police presence. Council members also pressed the applicant on parking, complaint-driven enforcement, bike storage and historical police-call rates for comparable facilities; Osweiler said she would provide specific counts for the next reading and estimated there were not many calls at similar sites.
The council took a motion to approve (motion by Kroll; second by Bodie) and voted to advance the ordinance on first reading. The council confirmed the Planning & Zoning Commission’s revision deleting childcare from the permitted uses. The mayor said two additional readings of the ordinance remain before final adoption.
What happens next: the applicant will return with a site plan to show compliance with PUD conditions, the parking variance will be considered by the West Des Moines Board of Adjustment, and the council will consider the second and third readings of the ordinance at future meetings.
